UK unemployment rises to 2.46 million
Updated on 11 November 2009
Despite the total rise in unemployment showing signs of slowing the number of young people out of work reaches a record high.
The youth unemployment rate reached almost 20 per cent today but along also showed positive signs of slowing.
The total number of people out of work increased by 30,000 between July and September to 2.46 million. The number of jobless 16 to 24-year-olds rose to a record high 943,000.
Figures also showed that people seeking jobseeker's allowance reached 1.64 million - a rise of 12,900 in October.
However there was a small increase in the number of people in work. Figures have improved by 6,000 to almost 29 million, the first quarterly rise since the summer of last year.
Full-time employment fell by 80,000 to 21 million, while part-time employment increased by 86,000 to a record high of 7.6 million.
The quarterly rise in unemployment was the smallest since spring last year.
The government welcomed the news that rates for unemployment are slowing. Ministers said the figures showed the government's plans to aid the struggling economy were making a "real difference".
