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| UK unemployment rises to 2.52m | UK unemployment rises to 2.52m |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Unemployment rose by 7,000 to 2.52 million between November and January, according to official figures. | Unemployment rose by 7,000 to 2.52 million between November and January, according to official figures. |
| The rise will put extra pressure on Chancellor George Osborne in advance of his lunchtime Budget. | The rise will put extra pressure on Chancellor George Osborne in advance of his lunchtime Budget. |
| The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in February fell by 1,500 to 1.54 million, the lowest level since June 2011, the Office for National Statistics said. | |
| Despite the unemployment rise, the overall figure held at 7.8%. | Despite the unemployment rise, the overall figure held at 7.8%. |
| 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." | |
| But Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, the UK's largest union, 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." | |
| While workers' average earnings rose 1.2% over the three months, compared to the same period in 2011-12, inflation running at 2.7% meant that they fell in real terms. | While workers' average earnings rose 1.2% over the three months, compared to the same period in 2011-12, inflation running at 2.7% meant that they fell in real terms. |
| The number of young people aged 16-24 without a job rose to 993,000 over the three months, taking the youth unemployment rate to 21.2%. | The number of young people aged 16-24 without a job rose to 993,000 over the three months, taking the youth unemployment rate to 21.2%. |
| Martina Milburn, chief executive of the Prince's Trust, said: "Youth unemployment is now back on the rise, and urgent action is needed before thousands more young people find themselves out of work. | |
| "With help from the government and employers, we now plan to increase our support to give hope to struggling young people across the UK," she added. | |
| The chancellor may take some comfort from the fact that unemployment is still 152,000 lower than a year ago, while private sector employment rose by 151,000 to 24 million over the three months. |