Britain saw the largest rise in employment since records began in the three months to July with 286,000 more people securing jobs.

But unemployment fell by less than expected. In the quarter, it was down 8,000 to 2.47 million.

The closely watched Jobseeker’s Allowance claimant count rose by an unexpected 2,300 last month to 1.47 million, marking the first increase since January.

The claimant figures were mirrored in Shropshire and Mid Wales, with 10,344 people receiving the allowance in August, up 146 on the month before. Powys saw the largest rise in the region, with 69 more claimants bring the total to 1,671.

The number of people claiming the Jobseeker’s Allowance in Shropshire rose by 44 from 4,473 in August to 4,517 last month.

In Telford, there were 33 more claimants, with the total rising from 4,123 to 4,156.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested the record-breaking leap in employment came largely as those classed as economically inactive, such as students, took on jobs.

Employment minister Chris Grayling said: “Today’s jump in employment, driven by the private sector, is good news but it doesn’t disguise the fact that the system the Government inherited is failing to get people on welfare into these jobs.

“It is neither fair for the nearly five million people on benefits, nor the taxpayer who supports them.”

He said the biggest quarterly rise in employment on record, driven by the private sector, was welcome news but he added that the fact that these jobs were not being filled by people on benefits underlined the need for urgent reform.