Youth unemployment has again increased to a new high since records began in 1992, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The number of unemployed people aged between 16 and 24 increased by 52,000 during the last three months, hitting a staggering 1.04 million.

The figure, taken from September to November 2011, includes 313,000 people who are in full-time education but also looking for a job.

Labour market statistics, published today, put the total jobless figure at 2.68 million, up 118,000 from the last three months.

The overall number of unemployed people was last higher in the three months leading up to August 1994.

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