Unemployment in the UK rose by 43,000 to 2.5 million in the three months to February, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics.

These figures mean that the jobless total in the UK is at a 16-year high and that the rate of unemployment is now 8%.

However, the total number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell in March by 32,900 to 1.54 million - a much sharper drop than expected.

“These figures are disappointing, but not surprising given the worrying trends that have been apparent in recent months,” said David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce.

"In addition to a rise in unemployment that reverses recent declines, we have witnessed a large fall in employment and a sharp increase in inactivity.”