Unemployment Rises By 53,000

The number of unemployed people increased by 53,000 during the first quarter, bringing total unemployment to 2.51 million.

As the new Conservative and Lib Dem coalition government swings into action, the latest unemployment figures show that 53,000 became unemployed during the first quarter of the year. At 2.51 million, the total number of unemployed people is now at the highest level since December 1994.

Unemployment rates now stand at 8%, however the number of people classed as being economically inactive rose by 88,000 to a record high of 8.17 million. This includes people who have given up looking for a job, those who cannot work as they are looking after a sick relative and students.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit did fall by 27,100 during April. This brings the total number of unemployment claimants in the UK to 1.52 million.

Overall, these grim figures will be an indication of the economic challenge facing the incoming government.