Tenth of Americans out of work

The level of joblessness in the US has hit double figures for the first time in more than a quarter of a century, figures show today.

Unemployment jumped to 10.2% in October, the highest level recorded since April 1983, the Bureau of Labour Statistics said.

In all, some 15.7 million Americans are now classified as unemployed.

Since the recession began in December 2007, 8.2 million people have been laid off.