17/08/2011

UK Unemployment Rises

There has been an unexpected rise in the number of unemployed people in Britain, the latest figures have revealed.

The number of people without a job rose by 38,000 in the three months to June to reach 2.49 million, the Office of National Statistics confirmed.

Britain's unemployment rate has now risen to 7.9%.

The figures also showed that the number of unemployed women has increased by 21,000, rising to 1.05 million - the highest figure since 1988 - while the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance rose by 37,100 to 1.56 million people.

Commenting on the figures, Dave Prentis, Unison General Secretary, said: "The Government's savage cuts have cut off vital opportunities in the public sector and the private sector is struggling to withstand the economic downturn.

"The Government's economic strategy is in tatters. They need to stop the cuts and restore hope by planning for growth."

(KMcA/BMcC)

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