The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 21,000 between August and October to 2.49 million. The increase was the smallest rise in the jobless total since the March-to-May period in 2008, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed. The unemployment rate is currently 7.9%, according to the ONS figures. However, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell by 6,300 in November to 1.63 million, the first fall since February 2008.
‘Encouraging figure’ According to the ONS figures, the number of 16-to-24 year olds who are unemployed rose to 952,000, the highest figure since records began in 1992.
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 These figures will bolster hopes that the recession has ended in the fourth quarter of 2009  Colin Ellis, Daiwa Securities.
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The number of out of work 18-to-24 year olds increased by 26,000, but this figure was offset by a fall in the number of jobless 16 and 17 year olds of 20,000. The number of people unemployed for more than a year increased by 49,000 in the latest quarter to 620,000, the highest since 1997. However, the figures also showed that the total number of people in employment rose by 53,000 over the period.