Unemployment rises in the West Midlands

Unemployment in the West Midlands increased by 1,000 in the three months to August, official figures have revealed.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that a total of 165,000 people were unemployed in the region between June and August.

The region's unemployment rate was 6.0% and saw a rise of 0.6% during the period.

The figures are in stark contrast to the East Midlands, which saw unemployment fall by 4,000 over the same period.

The latest statistics show unemployment in the UK has fallen to a seven-year low while a record number of people are in work.