Figures released today have revealed that unemployment in the UK has reached the highest level for 17 years and is now 2.57 million.
Between June and August the number of people unemployed increased by 114,000. The UK unemployment rate now sits at 8.1%.
The figures also show that youth unemployment has almost reached 1 million, now standing at 991,000.
The number of people out of work and claiming benefits rose by 17,500 to 1.6 million.