UK unemployment rises to highest in nearly four years

There were 761,000 job vacancies in the three months to April, 5.3% lower than the previous quarter. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

The unemployment rate in the UK has risen to its highest level in almost four years, according to official figures, as the jobs market continues to slow.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate was 4.5% in the first three months of this year, up 0.2% on the previous quarter and the highest reading since summer 2021.