904,000 have been out of work for over a year

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Communities and also in Finance

New figures show that the amount of people out of work for over a year rose to 904,000 between May and July 2012, up from 882,000 between February and April.

The data from the ONS (Office of National Statistics) shows that this is the highest figure since 1996. The amount of people out of work for over two years has also risen, and now stands at 443,000, up from 434,000 in the first quarter.

However, the employment rate across the country has actually risen 0.5% on the quarter to 71%, meaning there are now 29.5 million people in work, an increase of 236,000.

The largest increases were felt in the South West, which saw a rise of 1.4%; London (1.3%); and the North West (1%).

The unemployment rate currently stands at 8% of the economically active population, down 0.1% on the quarter. There are 2.59 million unemployed people, down 7,000 on the quarter.

The ONS's data shows that the employment rate is highest in the East of England, at 75%, whilst the North East has the lowest rate, at 69%.

The North East also has the highest rate of benefit claimants, with 8% of the population claiming JSA (Job Seeker's Allowance). The South East has the lowest figure for JSA claims, with only 3% of the population claiming.

Employment levels in London (4 million) and the East of England (3 million) are both at record highs since the current regional figures started in 1992. Despite this, the increasing population levels mean that the employment rates are still below the highest on record.