Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the unemployment rate for December 2012 to February 2013 was 7.9% of the economically active population, up 0.2 percentage points from September to November 2012.
There were 2.56 million unemployed people, up 70,000 from September to November 2012.
Ian Brinkley, director of
The Work Foundation, said:
“As we predicted, economic reality has caught up with the labour market. The jobs recovery of 2012 appears to have stalled.
“Comparing the three months to February with the previous three months shows that our economy has stopped creating new jobs, unemployment is increasing and wage growth has stalled.
“The increase in youth unemployment is of particular concern and disappointing given the Coalition has made tackling youth unemployment such a high priority.
“These numbers should be a spur for the government to focus the upcoming Spending Review on supporting activities with the potential to create jobs and drive growth.”
According to the ONS, the inactivity rate for those aged from 16 to 64 for December 2012 to February 2013 was 22.2% (the lowest since 1991), down 0.2 percentage points from September to November 2012.
There were 8.95 million economically inactive people aged from 16 to 64, down 57,000 from September to November 2012.
The Department for Work and Pensions said today’s figures show employment was broadly flat over the quarter – down by 2,000 to 29.70m – but the number of people in full-time posts rose by 60,000. The number of people in temporary work fell by 55,000.
The department said the number of people classed as unemployed increased by 70,000, but most of this is accounted for by a 57,000 fall in inactivity – those people who are neither in work nor looking for work, and unemployment is still 71,000 lower than it was a year ago.
Minister for Employment Mark Hoban said:
“Today’s figures show a further fall in the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, including a welcome drop amongst young people.
“But there are still tough challenges ahead. We will continue to give jobseekers all the help and support they need to realise their aspirations.”