BUSINESS leaders in the West Midlands have expressed concern after unemployment in the region rose sharply despite a downward trend nationally. But Birmingham Chamber of Commerce said the rise contrasted sharply with messages from the region’s businesses, which had stated they were struggling to fill job vacancies. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that in the April to June quarter unemployment in the West Midlands rose by 7,000 to a total of 235,000; equivalent to 8.8% of the region’s wor......for the full story register now for free or login below...