Photo: Jason Cartwright @ flickr

Two of the worst three places in the United Kingdom to find employment are in the EastLondonLines area, according to a new report by the TUC.

Hackney is the worse place in the country to be a job seeker and Lewisham is the third worst, say the TUC. Both boroughs already have very high rates of social problems and deprivation.

According to the report  the boroughs are now among the country’s least promising locations for job prospects, with few vacancies and high numbers of benefit claimants.

In Hackney, which topped the list, there were 9,663 people receiving Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), but only 404 employment opportunities, giving a ratio of just under 24 unemployed people to each job.

Prospects were similarly dismal in Lewisham, where the figures revealed a ratio of 14 JSA claimants to one vacancy.

The TUC’s list of unemployment blackspots was dominated by the capital, with London boroughs representing seven of the top ten worst areas for jobs.

Surrounding areas of South East England fared somewhat better, with a more favourable average ratio of unemployed people to vacancies, but the overall employment picture was a negative one.

Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, said: “While the economy is slowly emerging from recession, the jobs outlook for millions of people is still bleak.”

“Our chances of economic recovery are blighted by unemployment blackspots across the country,” he said.

Attacking government plans to cut public spending, which he said would target deprived areas unfairly, he continued: “These areas need investment to get local businesses flourishing and people working again.”