Youth unemployment has reached a record high of over 1 million, with more 16 to 24 year olds out of work than at any time since 1992, newly released figures show.

The number of jobless young people in the UK increased by 67,000 in the three months to September to 1.2 million.

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The total, the highest since comparable records began 19 years ago, includes 286,000 people in full-time education who were looking for part-time work.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “These figures show just how much our economy is being affected by the crisis in the eurozone.

“Our European partners must take urgent action to stabilise the position.

“Our challenge in the autumn statement will be to put in place additional measures to support growth and create employment opportunities, especially for young people.”

Total unemployment rose by 129,000 in the latest quarter to 2.62 million, the worst figure since 1994, giving a jobless rate of 8.3%, the highest since 1996.

Other data from the Office for National Statistics showed a 5,300 increase in the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in October to 1.6 million, the eighth consecutive monthly rise and the highest total since the start of 2010.

The total number of unemployed in the North West currently stands at 196,338, with Preston seeing a 12.3% rise in unemployment –  almost 2% more than the national average.

The Guardian Datastore have a good breakdown of the various new statistics that have been released. You can read all about it on their blog or see the full spreadsheet of  benefit claimant data here. You can compare the rise in unemployment by percentage across Lancashire on the interactive graph below.