The number of people out of work in the West Midlands has risen to 234,000 as tough economic conditions continue to take their toll on the region.
The unemployment rate in the region has risen to 8.9 per cent in the past quarter after an extra 8,000 people were unemployed in the past three months.
Across the UK, unemployment increased by 114,000 between June and August to 2.57 million, official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “It is clear that we are seeing the effect of the international economic crisis on the UK labour market.
“That’s why last week we announced the right-to-buy housing scheme to support growth and today we are offering more support for jobseekers as sector-based work academies come on stream, combining real training, work experience and a guaranteed interview.
“Our new Work Programme is now up and running and offers people who have lost their jobs flexible, tailored support to get back into jobs and stay there.”
The Government said it was taking steps to support growth and rebalance the economy, including the creation of 11 new enterprise zones, designed to boost local growth and create more than 30,000 new jobs by 2015, four annual reductions in corporation tax, cutting the small companies rate, expanding loan guarantees and investing in science and apprenticeships.
The number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance across the UK last month increased by 17,500 to 1.6 million.
Meanwhile, youth unemployment reached a record high of 991,000, the figures showed.
