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The news may be of concern to those worried about job security and keen to find ways of earning extra money.
Howard Archer, chief economist at IHS Global Insight, said the rise in unemployment would take place as the economy seems set to contract further this year.
"Reports of companies laying off workers are prevalent, while an increasing number of companies are folding," he commented.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown that the number of people out of work increased by around 165,000 in the quarter to January, reaching just over two million.
IHS Global Insight provides expert economic, financial and political analysis to support planning and decision-making.
The company covers more than 200 countries and over 170 different industries.
