Latest ONS figures show that UK unemployment has risen to 2.47 million.

According to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of unemployed people in the UK has risen by 23,000 in the three months to April to 2.47 million.

The rate of unemployment rose from 7.8% in the quarter to January to 7.9% between February and April this year.

In comparison with the figures for the same time last year, unemployment has decreased from 2.51 million.

However, the number of people claiming unemployment benefits has dropped by 30,900, taking the total figure of claimants to 1.48 million. This is the first time since March 2009 that the figure that dropped below 1.5 million.

Vacancies have increased to 492,000 over the quarter, with 7,000 new job positions created.

The latest figures from the ONS come after recent speculation that unemployment in the UK could reach 3 million over the next two years.