This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/5340948.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
UK unemployment at six-year high Apology for PM unemployment slip
(about 6 hours later)
Unemployment rose by 93,000 between May and July to 1.7 million, its highest level since 2000, figures have shown. The Cabinet Secretary has apologised after Tony Blair broke protocol by pre-empting the release of official unemployment figures in a speech.
Yet the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also said that the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell in August by 3,900 to 950,100. Sir Gus O'Donnell expressed "regret" in a letter to the head of the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The latest figures come a day after Tony Blair appeared to pre-empt their release, saying they should show a "very welcome" fall in unemployment. The row between ONS and the government comes as ILO unemployment rose by 93,000 between May and July to 1.7 million, its highest level since 2000.
The ONS said it was now investigating whether Mr Blair had broken protocol. Unemployment benefit claimants in August fell by 3,900 to 950,100.
The latest figures come a day after Tony Blair told the TUC Conference in Brighton that they should show a "very welcome" fall in unemployment.
Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats accused the prime minister of abusing his position and trailing official figures in advance of their release.Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats accused the prime minister of abusing his position and trailing official figures in advance of their release.
"We have seen reports that the prime minister made remarks about the unemployment figures in advance of their publication," said the ONS. 'Integrity'
"The national statistician is looking into the circumstances and has been in contact with the Cabinet secretary. We will make a further statement shortly." National statistician and Registrar General Karen Dunnell wrote to Sir Gus on Wednesday, saying the Prime Minister's comments "clearly contravened" the National Statistics Code of Practice.
"It is essential for the maintenance of the integrity of official statistics, and of public confidence in them, that the provisions of the code of practice are fully complied with," she said.
The data had been released to Mr Blair's office at 5pm on Monday but with usual restrictions on when they could be released.
Sir Gus said that Number 10 Downing Street was "fully seized" of the importance of complying with the rules.
'Very welcome''Very welcome'
Mr Blair made his comments on unemployment in a speech to delegates at the TUC conference on Tuesday.Mr Blair made his comments on unemployment in a speech to delegates at the TUC conference on Tuesday.
He said that "tomorrow I think we will probably see - for the first time in some months - a fall again in unemployment, which is very, very welcome indeed".He said that "tomorrow I think we will probably see - for the first time in some months - a fall again in unemployment, which is very, very welcome indeed".
The Tories accused Mr Blair of making an "irresponsible gaffe".The Tories accused Mr Blair of making an "irresponsible gaffe".
"Important economic data should not be blurted out at meetings with trade unionists," said shadow chancellor George Osborne."Important economic data should not be blurted out at meetings with trade unionists," said shadow chancellor George Osborne.
"This proves why we need independent statistics that are not subject to ministerial spin."This proves why we need independent statistics that are not subject to ministerial spin.
"Last year Gordon Brown promised that would happen. But he has failed to deliver," Mr Osborne said."Last year Gordon Brown promised that would happen. But he has failed to deliver," Mr Osborne said.
Longer termLonger term
Analysts said that the unemployment figures presented a mixed picture that was unlikely to stop the Bank of England raising interest rates again this year.Analysts said that the unemployment figures presented a mixed picture that was unlikely to stop the Bank of England raising interest rates again this year.
The Bank is widely tipped to raise its borrowing costs by a quarter of a percentage point to 5% in November.The Bank is widely tipped to raise its borrowing costs by a quarter of a percentage point to 5% in November.
They added that the unemployment figures may well improve in coming months should the economy continue to expand.They added that the unemployment figures may well improve in coming months should the economy continue to expand.