Unemployment in the UK has jumped to 1.72 million in the last three months as the slowing economy takes hold of the country.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the unemployment rate had climbed by 81,000 by the end of July, and by 72,000 compared to a year ago.

The unemployment rate was 5.5%, up 0.2%, while the number of people in employment fell by 16,000 to 29.54 million, although this figure was up by 333,000 compared to a year ago.

Meanwhile the number of people claiming benefits rose to 904,900 in August, up 32,500 on the previous month and 56,300 on a year earlier.

The data also revealed the number of job vacancies in the UK had fallen by 56,900 since the last quarter to 613,200.