Revealed: Latest unemployment and claimant count figures for the West Midlands
The UK and West Midlands have seen a rise in unemployment, official figures have revealed.
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The jobless rate rose unexpectedly and the number of workers on payrolls has fallen by the most since the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate of unemployment increased to 4.4 per cent in the three months to November, up from 4.3 per cent in the three months to October.
In the West Midlands, the figure rose to 4.7 per cent from 4.3 per cent previously.
The number of payrolled employees was estimated to have tumbled by 47,000 during December to 30.3 million – the biggest drop since November 2020.
It follows a revised 32,000 fall the previous month.
But the statistics showed wage growth rose again, with average regular pay surging to 5.6 per cent in the three months to November and outstripping Consumer Prices Index inflation by 3.4 per cent.
The figures come amid warnings over pressure on businesses and a pull-back in hiring after Budget measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves will send wage costs higher.
