Britain’s unemployment total today rose to its highest level in 14 years – with nearly 10,000 people now out of work across Shropshire.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics today revealed a 210,000 rise in the unemployed during the three months to July, taking the total to 2.47 million.

Across Shropshire, an extra 101 people signed onto the unemployment register last month. In the Shropshire Council area, the figure rose rose by 60 to 5,057, while Telford & Wrekin’s total jumped by 41 to 4,872.

Nationally, the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance increased by 24,400 to 1.61 million in August – the highest since May 1997 and the 18th monthly rise in a row, according to the Government-approved figures. Overall jobless totals are at their highest since May 1995.

The recession’s impact on young people was also underlined by jobless totals among 16 to 24-year-olds reaching 947,000 – the highest level since ONS records began in 1992.

The jobless rate among this age group is also a record 19.7 per cent, meaning one in five young people is now looking for work.

The West Midlands is still bearing the brunt of the recession. The region’s jobless total showed the highest jump in the country last month – up 10.5 per cent to 282,000.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said: “More workers, particularly young workers, are paying a devastating price for the bankers’ recession.”

And he warned: “There is some way to go before unemployment stops rising.”

Unemployment has now risen by 743,000 over the year and looks on course to pass the three million mark.