Jobless rise amid more economy fears
Updated on 17 December 2008
As jobless benefit claimants rise above the one million mark, there are fears that interest rate cuts may not now save the economy.
The total number of unemployed people has also risen and now stands at 1.86 million.
And as the economic data keeps getting worse, the options to help are running out.
With the pound hitting new lows against the euro again this morning, the group charged with reviving the economy in Britain, the Bank of England's monetary policy committee, revealed it was uncertain at what rate to cut interest rates, fearing it would drive sterling even lower.
Tony McNulty
Joining Samira Ahmed from Westminster is the employment minister, Tony McNulty.
