Jobless figures are edging up

Unemployment is on the rise under the Labour Force Survey (LFS) count, which includes people not eligible for benefits. It rose by 38,000 to 1.64 million in the three months to April against 1.61 million previously.

Unemployment under the claimant count, which only includes those drawing Jobseeker’s Allowance, rose by 9,000 to stand at 819,300 in May.