The UK unemployment rate in the three months to October has increased to 5.1%, according to official figures.

That marked a rise from 5% for the three months to September.

The number of people in the UK who are unemployed is now at its highest level since January 2021, just below the peak rate seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the data reflected a “Subdued labour market”.

Average wage growth was 4.6%, excluding bonuses, between August and October 2025, but headed in different directions depending on whether you were employed by a company or the state.

Earnings growth in private companies slowed from 4.

2% to 3.9% but accelerated for the public sector employees from 6.6% to 7.6%, compared with the prior three-month period.

Wage growth, excluding bonuses, still remains higher than the rate of price increases in the economy.

Estimates for employees on company payrolls dropped by 149,000, or 0.5%, in October compared with the previous year.

Liz McKeown, the ONS director of economic statistics, said the figures indicate “a weakening labour market”.

“The number of employees on payroll has fallen again, reflecting subdued hiring activity.

McKeown also said young people were particularly affected by the fall in payroll numbers and the rise in unemployment.

The number of unemployed 18-24 year olds increased by 85,000 in the three months to October 2025, the largest rise since November 2022.

The government has said it will launch an investigation into youth unemployment and inactivity.

Meerah Nakaayi is 22 and from London. She did a two-year apprenticeship in policy and then worked in the sector for two years, but has been out of work since June.

“The last six months have been incredibly frustrating and demotivating” Meerah said.

“My last interview feedback stated how they had 290 applications for a policy analyst role for a niche policy area. I think that just shows how competitive it really is out there.”

James Reed, the chief executive of Reed Recruitment said all the main measures of the labour market were “going in the wrong direction”.

“I’m wondering whether they’ve hit the bottom or not,” he said.

Reed told the BBC’s Today programme the increase to the minimum wage announced in the Budget was “very welcome for people who have jobs” but “the economics of hiring at entry level is becoming less and less appealing to employers”.

The government has pledged to scrap the two-tier minimum wage and create a new rate for all adults.

But many businesses have said this will make them less inclined to hire young workers with little or no experience.

Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, said: “The prospects for a rebound in hiring activity for younger workers remain weak.

The falling rate of private-sector wage growth reflects “a marked slowdown in hiring activity amongst businesses,” she said.

Selfin also said that the overall picture bolstered the case for the Bank of England to cut its base interest rate on ThursdaResponding to the ONS figures, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said the data “underline the scale of the challenge we’ve inherited”.

“That is why we are investing £1.5bn to deliver 50,000 apprenticeships and 350,000 new workplace opportunities for young people – giving them real experience and a foot in the door.

Helen Whately, shadow work and pensions secretary, accused the government of implementing “growth-killing policies” that would lead to job losses in the run up to Christmas.

“Fourteen months in a row of higher unemployment means thousands of families will be struggling through the holiday season and without a steady income heading into the New Year.”

Liverpool hero Didi Hamann believes Florian Wirtz made the wrong decision joining the Reds this summer.

Wirtz, a £100m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and is yet to register a single goal after 16 games in the competition.

Speaking with Sky Deutschland, Hamann stated that the Germany international would have adapted easily to the Bundesliga if he had joined Bayern Munich instead of Liverpool this summer.

“Christmas is approaching and he still hasn’t scored a goal or decided a match. Football is played differently in the Premier League, and he’s had little to no impact there so far.

“Liverpool signed a player for €140 million hoping he could turn around a struggling team with one or two plays.

He still hasn’t done that, and why would he now in January?

“When I watch him play, I sometimes get the feeling that he himself no longer believes in his potential. Wirtz made the wrong choice in the summer when he was faced with the choice between Liverpool and Bayern Munich.”

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (NAM), has charged 3,439 newly trained recruits of the Nigerian Army to uphold the highest standards of loyalty, discipline and professionalism as they formally joined the service.

The recruits, drawn from the 89 Regular Intake of the Nigerian Army, passed out on Saturday after completing six months of intensive military training at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

Their formal induction was marked by a colourful Passing Out Parade, which showcased the skills, discipline and esprit de corps instilled during the training period.

Addressing the recruits as the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the parade as a testament to their dedication, perseverance and commitment to duty.

He said their successful completion of training reflected hard work, discipline and readiness to serve the nation.

The COAS said the injection of additional manpower would further strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity at a time it continues to confront evolving domestic and transnational security threats. He noted that the new soldiers would play a critical role in sustaining the Army’s combat readiness across the country.

He reminded the recruits that they had been entrusted with the sacred responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, urging them to serve with honour, courage and professionalism. According to him, their induction underscored the Army’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.

Lieutenant General Shaibu commended Depot Nigerian Army for its historic role in producing professional soldiers since its establishment in 1924, describing the institution as the backbone of the Army’s training system. He assured that the depot would continue to receive strong support in logistics, training infrastructure and personnel welfare to maintain its high standards.

The COAS further urged the new soldiers to uphold discipline, integrity and respect for human rights in all their operations, stressing that these values form the foundation of professional soldiering. He reminded them of the Oath of Allegiance they took, warning against any conduct that could tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army or the nation.

He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, and other security agencies for their support to the Nigerian Army. He also praised the Commandant, instructors and staff of Depot Nigerian Army for their dedication in training the recruits.

Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly inducted soldiers, their parents and guardians, and wished them safe, exemplary and fulfilling careers as they are deployed to various Army formations across the country.