The number of unemployment in the UK has reached 2.51 million, the worst figure in two years.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the unemployment rate now stands at 7.9 per cent.

Youth unemployment rose by 78,000 to 973,000.

The total claiming jobseekers benefits rose by 20,000 in August to 1.58 million. Meanwhile, the public sector employment fell by 110,000, the highest number since records began.

There has been an increase in the employment in private sector by 41,000. The number people employed fell by 69,000 to 29.17 million in the last three months to July. It was the biggest drop since March 2010.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said, "Clearly, this is a very unwelcome set of figures. Any increase in unemployment is something we really don't want to see happen."

Unemployment