Unemployment rises to 2.46 million

Wednesday 11th November 2009

The number of people unemployed in the UK in the three months to September rose to 2.46 million, official figures released today have shown.

An extra 30,000 people lost their jobs during the period, with the number of people seeking Job Seekers Allowance in October up by 12,900 to 1.64 million, the Office for National Statistics said.

The rise in unemployment and people claiming benefits were smaller than many analysts had predicted, indicating a continual recovery from the worst recession since the second world war.

Financial experts had predicted unemployment in Britain could surpass three million, but that figure may not be reached.

The official figure now stands at 7.8 per cent and Howard Archer, economist for Global Insight, described the latest data as "encouraging".

But he warned: "Despite the improved latest labour market data, the suspicion remains that modest job shedding will persist for some time to come.

"Doubts and concerns over the strength and sustainability of any recovery are likely to encourage businesses to keep their labour forces as tight as possible. In addition, significant job cuts in the public sector could well start next year as part of the efforts to rein in public expenditure."

The unemployment rate for 18 to 24 year olds has increased by 0.7 per cent to 18 per cent, the highest figure since records began in 1992.

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