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UK unemployment climbs to 2.47m UK unemployment climbs to 2.47m
(30 minutes later)
The number of people out of work in the UK has risen to its highest level in 14 years, official figures have shown.The number of people out of work in the UK has risen to its highest level in 14 years, official figures have shown.
Unemployment increased by 210,000 to 2.47m in the three months to July, taking the jobless rate to 7.9%, the Office for National Statistics said.Unemployment increased by 210,000 to 2.47m in the three months to July, taking the jobless rate to 7.9%, the Office for National Statistics said.
Claims for unemployment benefit in August grew by 24,400 from July to 1.61m, the highest since May 1997.Claims for unemployment benefit in August grew by 24,400 from July to 1.61m, the highest since May 1997.
There have been signs the UK economy is beginning to pick up, but jobless data tends to lag behind other measures.There have been signs the UK economy is beginning to pick up, but jobless data tends to lag behind other measures.
Average earnings, including bonuses, increased by 1.7% in the three months to July, down from the previous month.Average earnings, including bonuses, increased by 1.7% in the three months to July, down from the previous month.
The number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work rose from 928,000 to 947,000 - edging closer to the landmark of one million and adding to fears of a new "lost generation" of young people.The number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work rose from 928,000 to 947,000 - edging closer to the landmark of one million and adding to fears of a new "lost generation" of young people.
The jobless rate among this age group is at 19.7% - the highest since records began - meaning almost one in five is looking for work.The jobless rate among this age group is at 19.7% - the highest since records began - meaning almost one in five is looking for work.
'Extended period''Extended period'
The level of unemployment is now at its highest since May 1995 and employment minister Jim Knight said the government was doing all it could to get people back into work.The level of unemployment is now at its highest since May 1995 and employment minister Jim Knight said the government was doing all it could to get people back into work.
Jim Knight on unemployment figuresJim Knight on unemployment figures
"We've got to make sure that as we get back into growth, we grow jobs as well. That's why we need an active government committed to tackling work, to tackling joblessness," he said"We've got to make sure that as we get back into growth, we grow jobs as well. That's why we need an active government committed to tackling work, to tackling joblessness," he said
And Mr Knight added that an OECD Employment Outlook - which praised some UK government initiatives to help the unemployed - suggested the UK had lower than average rates of unemployment than the G7 and the EU.And Mr Knight added that an OECD Employment Outlook - which praised some UK government initiatives to help the unemployed - suggested the UK had lower than average rates of unemployment than the G7 and the EU.
"However, we know things will still be tough for some time and unemployment is likely to keep increasing, even once the economy starts growing again - that's why it's critical that we continue investing in people's future and don't just abandon them.""However, we know things will still be tough for some time and unemployment is likely to keep increasing, even once the economy starts growing again - that's why it's critical that we continue investing in people's future and don't just abandon them."
Conservative leader David Cameron said that unemployment approaching 2.5 million was "extremely depressing".Conservative leader David Cameron said that unemployment approaching 2.5 million was "extremely depressing".
"What we need to do is make sure our welfare system is working in every way it can, to help people get jobs, to help people get back into work, to give them the training that they need," he said."What we need to do is make sure our welfare system is working in every way it can, to help people get jobs, to help people get back into work, to give them the training that they need," he said.
Growth dragGrowth drag
Earlier this week, the governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, said there were signs that the UK economy was growing again.Earlier this week, the governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, said there were signs that the UK economy was growing again.
But he added that the "strength and sustainability" of the recovery were still "highly uncertain", saying the state of the banking system, levels of debt, and the global economy were all drags on growth.But he added that the "strength and sustainability" of the recovery were still "highly uncertain", saying the state of the banking system, levels of debt, and the global economy were all drags on growth.
More workers, particularly young workers, are paying a devastating price for the bankers' recession and there is some way to go before unemployment stops rising Paul KennyGMB Union BBC UK jobs tracker Youth unemployment: Your stories More workers, particularly young workers, are paying a devastating price for the bankers' recession and there is some way to go before unemployment stops rising Paul KennyGMB Union href="/2/hi/business/8259032.stm">Recession 'may see 25m jobs lost' class="" href="/2/hi/business/8078914.stm">BBC UK jobs tracker Youth unemployment: Your stories
Unemployment is still likely to reach three million in 2010, and could go higher, said economist Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight.Unemployment is still likely to reach three million in 2010, and could go higher, said economist Howard Archer of IHS Global Insight.
"Unemployment is a lagging indicator and the sharp overall economic contraction suffered between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009 will continue to weigh down on the labour market for an extended period," he said."Unemployment is a lagging indicator and the sharp overall economic contraction suffered between the second quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2009 will continue to weigh down on the labour market for an extended period," he said.
Budget deficitBudget deficit
Government spending to stimulate the economy boosted employment in the public sector by 13,000 in the three months to June, the figures showed.Government spending to stimulate the economy boosted employment in the public sector by 13,000 in the three months to June, the figures showed.
This contrasted with a 230,000 fall in private sector workers over the same period, the ONS said.This contrasted with a 230,000 fall in private sector workers over the same period, the ONS said.
However there are fears that future cuts in spending aimed at tackling the huge budget deficit will lead to job losses in the public sector.However there are fears that future cuts in spending aimed at tackling the huge budget deficit will lead to job losses in the public sector.
"More workers, particularly young workers, are paying a devastating price for the bankers' recession and there is some way to go before unemployment stops rising," said Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union."More workers, particularly young workers, are paying a devastating price for the bankers' recession and there is some way to go before unemployment stops rising," said Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union.


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