Unemployment rose by quarter of a million in the first three months of the year, official figures showed today.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics showed that the number of unemployed went up by 244,000 between January and March to 2,215,000 – the biggest quarterly rise since 1981 and the worst unemployment figure since 1996.

The figures also showed numbers claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance last month increased by 57,100 to 1,513,000.

In Shropshire and Mid Wales, the number of people claiming the jobseeker’s allowance rose by 176 to 12,319.

Official figures show 5,191 claimants in Shropshire, up from 5,122. In Telford & Wrekin, the number has risen from 4,843 to 4,939 and in Powys from 2,178 to 2,189.

The news came despite hopes that the worst of the recession could be over for Britain after several upbeat assessments from influential analysts and investors.

The job figures were released a day early following the accidental early release of some data.

Earlier in the day the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said its latest data showed the UK was showing “tentative signs” of a pause in the economic slowdown. Its respected “leading indicators” survey also showed evidence of a “possible trough” in Britain after the recent economic downturn, it added.

The Paris-based forecaster said its leading indicator measure for the UK rose by 0.3 points to 96.6 in March, with any increasing number below 100 representing recovery. February’s reading was an increase of 0.1.

“Composite leading indicators for March 2009 continue to point to a strong slowdown in the OECD,” the organisation said. “However France, Italy and the United Kingdom are showing tentative signs of, at least, a pause in the economic slowdown.”

Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, also bolstered the mood after saying the global economy had reached a turning point.

By David Burrows