Is this sentence correct ?

[duiter]

Dear teachers,


Is this sentence correct ?

The employment rate for those aged from 16 to 64 for the three months to June 2012 was 71.0 per cent. Thisis the highest figure since the three months to May 2009 and it is up 0.4 percentage points on the previous quarter.

Why does the author write is ( after "this" and after "it" ) instead of was ?

Have a nice weekend and thanks

[bhaisahab]

Dear teachers,


Is this sentence correct ?

The employment rate for those aged from 16 to 64 for the three months to June 2012 was 71.0 per cent. This is the highest figure since the three months to May 2009 and it is up 0.4 percentage points on the previous quarter.

Why does the author write is ( after "this" and after "it" ) instead of was ?

Have a nice weekend and thanks

At this moment in time it still is the highest figure since the three months to May 2009.

[anhnha]

Can I ask some questions?

At this moment in time it still is the highest figure since the three months to May 2009

What is the reason for using simple tense here?
Is it because the above event right at the speaking time?

[Raymott]

Can I ask some questions?

What is the reason for using simple tense here?
Is it because the above event right at the speaking time?

"At this moment in time" means "At the time of speaking" = "Now".

[Rover_KE]

Suggestion for a better title: This is the highest figure.

Extract from the Posting Guidelines:

Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.

Rover