The unemployment rate rose to 4.7pc, its highest for four years, in the three months between March and May, official figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed.

​Pay growth fell from 5.3pc to 5pc, piling pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates next month in a bid to boost the economy.

Unemployment rose to 4.7pc - its highest for four years - in the three months between March and May (Image: PA) Payroll jobs are down by 178,000 in the 12 months to June, and by 41,000 between May and June.

The figures follow the UK inflation rate, which measures how fast prices are rising, unexpectedly jumping to 3.6pc in the year to June, up from 3.4pc in May.........

© Norwich Evening News