The number of people seeking U.S. government financial assistance for the unemployed climbed again last week.

The Labor Department's weekly report of new unemployment claims Thursday shows an increase of 11,000 from the previous week, with 428,000 people seeking new government assistance after losing jobs.

The figure for new jobless claims was the highest since June, and reflects the continuing problems in the U.S. economy.

Other U.S. government reports out Thursday showed an increase of less than one-half of a percent in consumer prices, as well as a small increase in industrial output.