20.03.13
Unemployment rises to 2.52 million
Unemployment rose by 7,000 in the three months to January, new figures from the ONS show. Unemployment is now at 2.52 million.
Employment is now at 29.73 million and the unemployment rate is at 7.8%.
The number of people who are economically inactive fell by 118,000, increasing the labour force and accounting for the rise in both employment and unemployment.
The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in February fell by 1,500 to 1.54 million and the number of young people aged 16-24 who are out of work rose to 993,000. The youth unemployment rate is now at 21.2%.
Employment minister Mark Hoban said: “Today's figures show that, against a difficult economic backdrop, we're helping people to move off benefits and into work.
“There are still tough challenges ahead which is why we're working hard to give jobseekers all the help and support they need to realise their aspiration of finding a job.”
General secretary of Unison, Dave Prentis, said: “This time five years ago there were one million fewer unemployed people in the UK. The government has failed every single one of these people – and it has failed our country.”
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