Unemployment continues to rise in US

America has seen unemployment rise to a height not seen for 26 years.

Figures released from the US Labor Department show the jobless number of Americans rose to 10.2% of the population in October, up 0.4% from September with a loss of more than 189,000 jobs in the month.

More than 8 million people have lost their jobs since the start of the economic downturn at the end of 2007. US President Barack Obama has pledged to do all he can to ensure that every American who wants to work will be able to do so. The President plans to extend unemployment benefit, review extensions to tax credits for home buyers and cut business taxes.

Manufacturing, retail and construction sectors accounted for largest job losses last month. More than a third of the jobless total have been unemployed for at least six months.

Forecasters were disappointed wth the numbers, having believed that the recent growth in the US economy had heralded a turn in fortunes for the US populace.