The unemployment rate also rose to 8.4% from 8.3%, the highest rate since January 1996.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in December rose by 1,200 to 1.6 million.

That was lower than expected and came from a lower base than had been thought. November's claimant count was revised down to a rise of 200.

The number of young people without a job rose to 1.043 million in the three months to November, taking the unemployment rate in the 16-24 year-old age group to 22.3%.

The number of people in employment rose slightly in the three months to November to 29.119 million.

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