UNEMPLOYMENT has reached a post-pandemic high as the UK economy continues to struggle.
The jobless rate reached 5% in the three months to September 2025.
This is up in the latest quarter and above estimates of a year ago.
Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: “Taken together these figures point to a weakening labour market.
“The number of people on payroll is falling, with revised tax data now showing falls in most of the last 12 months.
“Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is up in the latest quarter to a post-pandemic high.
“The number of job vacancies, however, remains broadly unchanged.”
She added that taken together these figures point to a weakening labour market.
The number of people on payroll is falling, with revised tax data now showing falls in most of the last 12 months.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is up in the latest quarter to a post-pandemic high.
Although the number of job vacancies remains broadly unchanged.
A high unemployment rate is bad news for households as it means less people earning money and pumping cash into the economy.
Higher levels of unemployment can also increase the number of those on benefits, piling pressure on people who are in work.
We explain what it means for you and your money.
What high unemployment means for you
A weak jobs market means that more people are looking for work during a time when vacancies are falling.
This means it can be difficult to secure work if you need a job, as there is lots of competition for the same role.
