Jobless figures prompt British economy warning

ECONOMISTS have warned of a faltering British economy after the number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose to its highest level in almost three years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the so-called claimant count rose by 12,600 last month - double the amount expected.

It took the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance up to 937,600 and the claimant rate up to 3% - the highest levels since July 2003 and October 2003 respectively.