The Office for National Statistics revealed that there was a 43,000 increase in the number of people out of work in the three months to February, taking the unemployment rate to eight per cent.
In addition, the report said that the number of self-employed people and workers who are holding a part-time job because they could not find a full-time role increased by 13,000 to stand at 1.05 million.
Commenting on the figures, Federation of Small Businesses national chairman John Walker said: 'The rise in unemployment confirms that the economy is still too fragile for small businesses to take on new staff.'
He also explained that his organisation is calling on the next government to launched new economic stimulus measures to create jobs, encourage start-ups and improve access to finance.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor Vince Cable claimed the rise in unemployment shows how fragile the UK economy is following the recession.
In addition, the report said that the number of self-employed people and workers who are holding a part-time job because they could not find a full-time role increased by 13,000 to stand at 1.05 million.
Commenting on the figures, Federation of Small Businesses national chairman John Walker said: 'The rise in unemployment confirms that the economy is still too fragile for small businesses to take on new staff.'
He also explained that his organisation is calling on the next government to launched new economic stimulus measures to create jobs, encourage start-ups and improve access to finance.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor Vince Cable claimed the rise in unemployment shows how fragile the UK economy is following the recession.
