THE recession claimed another 220,000 jobs in the three months to June to take the total number of unemployed to 2.43 million, official figures revealed today.

THE recession claimed another 220,000 jobs in the three months to June to take the total number of unemployed to 2.43 million, official figures revealed today.

Unemployment in the UK is now at its highest level since the summer of 1995.

It comes as The Bank of England forecast today that the economy would shrink by around 5.5% at the lowest point this year before beginning its recovery.

The Bank's inflation report said the recession "appeared deeper than previously estimated" but pointed to "encouraging signs'' that its unprecedented monetary stimulus was taking effect.