The latest employment figures to be released are worse than predicted, a HR expert has commented.

Dr John Philpott, the CIPD’s chief economic adviser, said: "It is especially disappointing to see the positive momentum that had built up earlier in 2010 appear to run out of steam even before the full impact of the coalition government’s spending cuts and tax hikes take effect. This does not bode well for 2011."

His comments came after the Office of National Statistics revealed that unemployment had risen by 35,000 to 2.5 million in the third quarter.

Redundancy levels rose in the three months to October by 15,000 on the quarter before, with long term unemployment also increasing, seeing 839,000 people remaining jobless for more than a year.

However, some comfort could be taken, he said, in the small drop in people claiming jobseekers allowance.