British unemployment rises for second quarter in a row

UNEMPLOYMENT in the UK has risen for the second quarter in a row, provoking speculation that the recovery in the job market has stalled. It’s the first time in two years that Britain has seen a consecutive increase in the quarterly figures.

From April to June, the number of jobseekers in the UK was 1.85 million, up by 25,000 on the previous quarter. 

The statistics released by the Office for National Statistics also showed a slowdown in the growth of earnings – although they continue to climb, 2.4 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2014. 

Speaking on the rise in people out of work, ONS statistician David Freeman said: “This is now the second consecutive time we’ve reported fewer people in work on the quarter. While it’s still too early to conclude that the job market is levelling off, these figures certainly strengthen that possibility.”