Graphic: Fall in public sector employment masked by private sector growth Employment has risen by 9,000, after two consecutive quarters of heavy losses. Despite this rise, the number of people in work is 44,000 lower than in the previous year. Those facing an uncertain future in the public sector, which has fallen to its lowest levels of employment since June 2003, may find solace in the rapidly expanding private sector. For although the number of people employed in the public sector fell by 37,000 between September and December to 5.94m, the private sector showed an increase of 45,000 to 23.17m. Local government has been worst affected by the losses. Its workforce has dropped by 7.1% since last year. And the future remains gloomy for council workers: Rotherham and Nottingham City councils are amongst those who this week announced further job cuts as they slash spending. Rotherham will cut 200 jobs, on top of the 1000 which have already been announced. Nottingham City will cut 195 as it struggles to find £20m in savings. Some regions have been hit much harder than others, with the North West and the East Midlands taking the brunt of the losses, while the North East has seen a rise in employment of 1.4%.