Unemployment rises to 2.5 million

The total number of unemployed increased by 35,000 over the quarter to reach 2.5 million, marking the first quarterly increase since the three months to April 2010, the ONS said. Despite the higher-than-expected rate, the number of people claiming job seeker's allowance fell 1,200 between October and November to reach 1.46 million. The number of young people out of work has also risen, with the employment rate for those aged between 16 and 24 down 0.1% to 70.6% for the three months to October. David Birne, insolvency practitioner at HW Fisher & Company chartered accountants, thinks...