UK unemployment rose by 27,000 to 1.71 million in the three months to September, the highest level in seven years.
Average earnings growth unexpectedly eased to its weakest rate since January, in the three months to September, while the jobless rate rose to its highest in more than six years, official data showed.
Britain's Office for National Statistics said the internationally recognised ILO jobless rate picked up to 5.6 percent in the three months to September - above forecasts for a reading of 5.5 percent - and the highest since March-May 2000, when it was also 5.6 percent.
The number of people claiming jobless benefits, meanwhile, rose by less than expected in October, up 1,200, less than forecasts for a rise of 5,000.
Average earnings including bonuses rose by 3.9 per cent in the three months to September compared with the year ago, that was down from 4.2 per cent in the three months to August and below analysts' forecasts for a reading of 4.0 per cent.
The ONS data showed earnings growth easing in all sectors, which it said was due to robust data for June falling out of the data. Still, policymakers may be reassured that wage growth is easing.