Advertisement

  1. National

Unemployment rises for second successive month

Unemployment increased by 25,000 between April and June, figures showed - marking the second rise in successive months.

View all 6 updates ›

Gov't defends economic plan but Labour raises jobs 'worry'

The Government has said it is helping "millions across the country to succeed and achieve their full potential" despite the latest jobs figures showing more people out of work as unemployment rose again to 1.85 million.

Thanks to our long term economic plan we have already seen two million more people in jobs since 2010. On top of that, today's figures show job vacancies at a near record high - evidence of the continued confidence of British businesses, and potential for further growth in the UK economy.

Our one nation government is helping millions across the country to succeed and achieve their full potential. I was particularly pleased to see that wages are continuing to rise - meaning that hardworking people will see a real difference in their pay packets.

– Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith

His Labour counterpart, though, said the latest figures were "worrying", highlighting a rise in youth unemployment as of particular concern.

The rise in unemployment for a second month in a row is worrying and shows we cannot afford to be complacent about the recovery. With productivity stagnating, David Cameron and George Osborne must take bolder action to raise jobseekers’ skill levels to get more back into work and help build the high-skilled workforce Britain needs.

The rise in youth unemployment highlights a real danger that young people are being left behind. Ministers must urgently deliver more high-quality apprenticeships to give young people the skills they need to get a job and build a future.

– Labour’s Acting Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Timms

More top news