The UK unemployment rate continues to rise sharply, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The latest data shows that the UK’s unemployment rate increased to 4.8% in the three months to September, up from 4.5%, as coronavirus continued to adversely affect the jobs market.

Redundancies increased to a record high of 314,000 in the corresponding period, according to the figures.

The number of people, including agents, being made redundant in the UK has increased sharply because of the economic fallout from Covid-19.

However, a property firm based in Sussex is reaching out to those affected by Covid-19 redundancies.

PS&B is now looking to help a number of people who have recently suffered redundancy, or are struggling to find work in the county, by offering new employment opportunities.

Whether individuals have previously worked within the property market or not, the company’s board of directors has pledged to assess anyone who applies for a job and will provide necessary training if required.

The number of jobs available at the company, or what department they will be in, is not set in stone yet as directors wait patiently to see what the demand is. Applicants can be of any age and the company is even considering launching a new apprenticeship scheme.

PS&B, which has offices in Brighton, East Sussex, and Bognor Regis, offers a range of services covering rented accommodation, commercial property sales and lettings, auctions and professional services such as valuations, lease extensions, collective enfranchisement, and property, block or estate management.

Michael Barber, director of PS&B, said: “Unemployment figures keep rising, and Sussex has been hit particularly hard because of the effect on the aviation and entertainment industries.

“We pride ourselves on being a local business that supports others wherever possible, and being established in 1825 means this is not the first storm we have had to see through, but we do know that if we help and support one another, our county will thrive.

“There are so many talented and hard-working people out there that have been made redundant or are out of work because their original industry is suffering right now, and we want to help.

“We are not offering specific jobs roles or salaries at the moment; we want to see who comes forward and is interested in working with us as, if they are good fit within our PS&B family, we would develop their best skills into our industry. Obviously, the employment opportunities with us aren’t endless but we will try to help as many as we can.”