Britain's unemployment rate has risen by more than expected and earnings growth has eased back once again in the latest sign that economic uncertainty is affecting the UK jobs market.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the jobless rate jumped to 4.2% in the three months to February - the highest level for nearly six months and up from 3.9% in the three months to January.Most economists had been expecting the rate to only edge up slightly to 4% in the quarter.

Britain's unemployment rate has risen by more than expected and earnings growth has eased back once again in the latest sign that economic uncertainty is affecting the UK jobs market.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the jobless rate jumped to 4.2% in the three months to February - the highest level for nearly six months and up from 3.9% in the three months to January.Most economists had been expecting the rate to only edge up slightly to 4% in the quarter.