The unemployment rate rises to 4.8% - support if you’re out of work

The UK unemployment rate climbed to 4.8% between June and August 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics — an increase of 0.2% on the previous three months.

The unemployment rate measures the number of people who want to work but can’t find a job. A higher rate means there are fewer opportunities for people looking for work.

If you’re unemployed and currently looking for a job, this recent increase might not be the best news. But there is support available if money is tight when the job market is tough.

What help is available if you’re out of work?

Money is a major concern when you’re out of work, but there are benefits you might be entitled to if you’re struggling.

New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

If you’ve worked as an employee in the last 2 to 3 years, you could be eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). You’ll typically need to be:

• at least 18 years old
• under the State Pension age
• located in Great Britain
• not be working 16 or more hours per week

If all of these apply, you could get up to £92.05 per week for around six months. You’ll also get support from a work coach to find a job, and you’ll be expected to look for work to keep receiving your JSA. You can apply for JSA via the government website.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit (UC) is a monthly payment to help towards living costs. You can get it alongside your JSA if you’re eligible for both. To be eligible, you’ll need to:

• be living in the UK
• be at least 18 years old
• be under the State Pension age
• have less than £16,000 in savings and investments

If you’re eligible, you could get up to £628.10 per month depending on your circumstances and extra if you have children. You can apply for Universal Credit via the government website.

Benefits calculators

Benefits calculators are a great starting point if you’re not sure what support you’re eligible for. After you fill out a few details about yourself, you’ll be told information like what benefits you could apply for and how much you could get.

Free qualifications and training

Once you’ve applied for the financial support you’re eligible for, you can return to your job search. To strengthen your CV, you could complete one of the many free qualifications funded through the government.

Schemes include:

• Free Courses for Jobs – eligible adults in England can get a free Level 3 qualification in sectors such as health, social care and engineering
• Skills Bootcamps – these 16-week courses focus on technical and digital skills to help you retrain or upskill
• The Skills Toolkit – free courses to help you improve your digital and numeracy skills, covering topics like using online tools and cybersecurity

Support like JSA and UC can help your budget stretch through your job search, and the free courses on offer can help boost your chances of getting hired.