Unemployment levels rise in first quarter of 2016

Unemployment levels in Spain have risen by 11,900 new claims in first quarter, according to statistics out this week.

Thousands of jobs in the private sector have been lost, as the unemployment rate rises to 21%, the first rise in a number of years.

Just under 65,000 private sector jobs were lost, bringing the total unemployed to 4.8 million.

However, 18 million people remained in work over the first quarter, with officials saying that statistically this first quarter of the year is always challenging for employment figures.