LONDON (AFP) -UK unemployment jumped to a two-year high in the three months to the end of June, official data showed Tuesday, as the country grapples with high inflation and a cost of living crisis.
The number of people out of work increased to 4.2 per cent compared to 4.0 per cent in the three months to the end of May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
The ONS said the rise was mainly generated by an increase in unemployed people for up to six months.
UK annual inflation currently stands at 7.9 per cent, the highest among G7 nations.
The UK finance ministry noted that Britain’s unemployment rate was lower than that of Canada, France, Italy, Spain and the Euro area.
While the unemployment rate is the highest from July to September 2021, the ministry added that it remains “low by historical standards”.