Jobless rate rises and vacancies slump to lowest level in five years – ONS

Britain’s rate of unemployment has unexpectedly risen as vacancies slumped to their lowest level for five years amid a sharp pull back in hiring across under-pressure retail and hospitality sectors, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the jobless rate rose to 5% in the three months to March, up from 4.9% in the three months to Februar...