Unemployment rate rises with more claiming benefits in the West Midlands

Britain's unemployment rate has unexpectedly risen to its highest rate since the summer of 2021 as the jobs market weakens further, although wage growth remains resilient, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics said the rate of UK unemployment lifted to 4.4 per cent in the three months to April, up from 4.3 per cent in the three months to March.