The rate of UK unemployment rose to 4.3% in the three months to September, up from 4% in the three months to August, the Office for National Statistics said.
UK average regular earnings growth fell to 4.8% in the three months to September and was 2.7% higher after taking Consumer Prices Index inflation into account, the Office for National Statistics said.
Responding to the news that unemployment has risen to 4.3%, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: “Any rise in unemployment is concerning and many will be worried about the impact of the upcoming National Insurance hike on British jobs.
“Small businesses have been clobbered by years of Conservative economic vandalism and the government’s jobs tax could now make it even harder to hire new staff and give out pay rises. Jobs and salaries could be in for yet another hit and that’s just not fair.
“The new government should be supporting our small businesses, not placing more financial pressures on them. Ministers must change course, starting by exempting GPs and social care providers from the National Insurance hike.”
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