The number of people out of work in the UK rose 244,000 to 2.22 million in the first three months of 2009, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The jobless rate rose from 6.7% to 7.1%. Unemployment benefit claimants in April rose 57,100 to 1.51 million.

The quarterly rises in the jobless rate and number were the biggest since 1981.

The figures were due to be released by the ONS at 0930 BST on Wednesday, but came out at 1400 on Tuesday after an "accidental early release".

The ONS has launched an inquiry into how the early release happened.

"The standout numbers are the big increase in the unemployment rate at 7.1%," said Brian Hilliard, chief UK economist at Societe Generale.