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Unemployment reaches 11-year high Unemployment reaches 11-year high
(10 minutes later)
The number of people out of work in the UK in the three months to September jumped by 140,000 to 1.82 million - the highest in 11 years.The number of people out of work in the UK in the three months to September jumped by 140,000 to 1.82 million - the highest in 11 years.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.8%, up from 5.4% in the previous quarter, according to official figures.The unemployment rate rose to 5.8%, up from 5.4% in the previous quarter, according to official figures.
The number of people claiming the Jobseeker's Allowance rose by 36,500 to 980,900 in October - the highest monthly increase since 1992.The number of people claiming the Jobseeker's Allowance rose by 36,500 to 980,900 in October - the highest monthly increase since 1992.
Economists say unemployment could soon reach two million within months. Economists say unemployment could top two million within months.
The number of manufacturing jobs fell to 2.86 million, the lowest figure since records began in 1978.The number of manufacturing jobs fell to 2.86 million, the lowest figure since records began in 1978.
The so-called claimant count - those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance - has now increased for nine months in a row and is 154,800 higher than a year ago. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The signs are that redundancies are coming even faster since these figures were collected. Countering unemployment must be public policy priority number one."
Jobless totals The UK labour market is about to suffer the consequences of the once-in-a-generation financial crisis Graeme Leach, Institute of Directors class="" href="/1/hi/business/7684846.stm">How to cope during the downturn class="" href="/1/hi/business/7687167.stm">How to negotiate during redundancy
The number of people in work fell by 99,000 to 29.4 million and vacancies were down by 40,000 to 589,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.
These latest figures do not take into account recent job loss announcements, including news of more than 5,000 cuts on Tuesday by firms including Virgin Media, Yell and GlaxoSmithKline.
The unemployment rate of 5.8% is the highest since early 2000, while the number of people looking for work has jumped by 182,000 over the past year.
The number of unemployed men was 1.07 million, up 85,000 over the latest quarter, while 55,000 more women joined the ranks of the unemployed, up to 750,000.
Unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds increased by 53,000 to 579,000, the highest figure since 1995.
Long-term unemployment has also increased, with the numbers out of work for longer than a year up by 20,000 to 435,000.
Union pleas
ING economist James Knightley said that the last recession in the early 1990s saw 31 consecutive monthly rises in unemployment.ING economist James Knightley said that the last recession in the early 1990s saw 31 consecutive monthly rises in unemployment.
"We are likely to have plenty more bad news on the labour market to come," he warned."We are likely to have plenty more bad news on the labour market to come," he warned.
He said the number of those out of work would "push towards 2.5 million in 2010".He said the number of those out of work would "push towards 2.5 million in 2010".
Union pleas
Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the Unite trade union, called for a programme of government intervention.Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the Unite trade union, called for a programme of government intervention.
"Only urgent and widespread action by government to protect jobs and homes will help hard-pressed families through the worst of this global turmoil," he said."Only urgent and widespread action by government to protect jobs and homes will help hard-pressed families through the worst of this global turmoil," he said.
Unite joint leader, Tony Woodley, said: "A triple spectre is haunting our people this winter - redundancy, as the credit crunch spreads, rising prices, and repossession, as people are forced to hand their homes back to the banks."
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "The chancellor is right to spend money to keep people in work rather than spend money on unemployment benefit."GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "The chancellor is right to spend money to keep people in work rather than spend money on unemployment benefit."
"He needs to keep the pedal to the metal in terms of spending on regeneration," he said."He needs to keep the pedal to the metal in terms of spending on regeneration," he said.
Graeme Leach, of the Institute of Directors, said unemployment could rise to 2.8 million by 2010.
"The UK labour market is about to suffer the consequences of the once-in-a-generation financial crisis," he said.
Jobless totals
The so-called claimant count - those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance - has now increased for nine months in a row and is 154,800 higher than a year ago.
The number of people in work fell by 99,000 to 29.4 million and vacancies were down by 40,000 to 589,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The unemployment rate of 5.8% is the highest since early 2000, while the number of people looking for work has jumped by 182,000 over the past year.
The number of unemployed men was 1.07 million, up 85,000 over the latest quarter, while 55,000 more women joined the ranks of the unemployed, up to 750,000.
Unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds increased by 53,000 to 579,000, the highest figure since 1995.
Long-term unemployment has also increased, with the numbers out of work for longer than a year up by 20,000 to 435,000.
These latest figures do not take into account recent job loss announcements, including news of more than 5,000 cuts on Tuesday by firms including Virgin Media, Yell and GlaxoSmithKline.