Unemployment hits 1.82m

Unemployment has hit 1.82 million, the highest figure for 11 years. November's ONS labour market statistics released today (12 November 2008) show that the unemployment rate rose to 5.8% in the last quarter, up from 5.2% in the previous quarter. Jobseeker's allowance claims increased from 36,500 to 980,900 in October.