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| UK unemployment rises to 2.56 million | UK unemployment rises to 2.56 million |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| UK unemployment rose by 70,000 to 2.56 million between December and February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. | UK unemployment rose by 70,000 to 2.56 million between December and February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. |
| It meant the unemployment rate for the quarter was 7.9%. | It meant the unemployment rate for the quarter was 7.9%. |
| The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance last month fell by 7,000 to 1.53 million. | The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance last month fell by 7,000 to 1.53 million. |
| Also, the ONS said average regular pay, excluding bonuses, rose 1%, the lowest since records began more than a decade ago. | |
| The number of people in work fell by 2,000 in the latest quarter to February, to just under 30 million, the first time the figure has dipped since autumn 2011. | The number of people in work fell by 2,000 in the latest quarter to February, to just under 30 million, the first time the figure has dipped since autumn 2011. |
| The ONS data also revealed that 900,000 people have been out of work for more than a year, an 8,000 increase on the three months to November, while the number of unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds rose by 20,000 to 979,000. | The ONS data also revealed that 900,000 people have been out of work for more than a year, an 8,000 increase on the three months to November, while the number of unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds rose by 20,000 to 979,000. |
| Despite the increase in unemployment, the total is 71,000 lower than a year ago. There has been a 62,000 fall in the number of people in part-time jobs, to just over eight million, with a 60,000 increase in full-time employment, to 21.6 million. | Despite the increase in unemployment, the total is 71,000 lower than a year ago. There has been a 62,000 fall in the number of people in part-time jobs, to just over eight million, with a 60,000 increase in full-time employment, to 21.6 million. |
| Alan Clarke, economist at Scotiabank, said: "It's not a disaster, but a lot of the froth and really good news we had over the last year on jobs is becoming exhausted, which shouldn't be a surprise when there is not much growth around." | Alan Clarke, economist at Scotiabank, said: "It's not a disaster, but a lot of the froth and really good news we had over the last year on jobs is becoming exhausted, which shouldn't be a surprise when there is not much growth around." |
| George Buckley, at Deutsche Bank, said the data told two stories about the jobs market. | George Buckley, at Deutsche Bank, said the data told two stories about the jobs market. |
| "On the claims numbers they were obviously quite positive in the sense that the last month's number got revised to an even bigger fall and we saw another fall this month. | "On the claims numbers they were obviously quite positive in the sense that the last month's number got revised to an even bigger fall and we saw another fall this month. |
| "But on the negative side, first of all employment, which is down, the expectation was that it would rise slightly, we saw the unemployment rate go up and we've also seen very weak average earnings growth, much weaker than expected," he said. | "But on the negative side, first of all employment, which is down, the expectation was that it would rise slightly, we saw the unemployment rate go up and we've also seen very weak average earnings growth, much weaker than expected," he said. |
| 'Needless waste' | 'Needless waste' |
| Employment Minister Mark Hoban welcomed the fall in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JA), and especially the drop among young people. | Employment Minister Mark Hoban welcomed the fall in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JA), and especially the drop among young people. |
| "But there are still tough challenges ahead," he said. "We will continue to give jobseekers all the help and support they need to realise their aspirations." | "But there are still tough challenges ahead," he said. "We will continue to give jobseekers all the help and support they need to realise their aspirations." |
| Ministers said the number of JA claimants fell in every region of England, Wales and Scotland, while the number of new claims was at its lowest level for more than four years. | Ministers said the number of JA claimants fell in every region of England, Wales and Scotland, while the number of new claims was at its lowest level for more than four years. |
| The number of young people claiming JA is down by 2,800 on the month, and is 65,400 lower than last year. | The number of young people claiming JA is down by 2,800 on the month, and is 65,400 lower than last year. |
| Critics, however, highlighted Tuesday's suggestion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the UK government should consider reining back its austerity plan. | |
| Liam Byrne MP, Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary, said: "Three years on it's now as clear the government's plan is failing, and failing badly. Not only are more people unemployed than at the election, it's soaring up. | |
| "With the IMF warning George Osborne to change course and unemployment getting worse, it's clear the time has come for a fresh approach." |