The number of people claiming jobless benefits in recession-hit Britain has jumped to 2.47 million for the first time in 14 years, official data showed Wednesday.

Britain's unemployment rate meanwhile jumped to 7.9 percent in the three months to July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed in a statement.

"The number of unemployed people increased by 210,000 over the quarter and by 743,000 over the year, to reach 2.47 million," it said. That was the highest level since May 1995.

The ONS added: "The unemployment rate was 7.9 per cent for the three months to July 2009. It has not been higher since the three months to November 1996."

1. Office for National Statistics