Jobs blackspots

The Scottish industrial heartlands of West Dunbartonshire and East Ayrshire have overtaken inner London boroughs to become Britain’s worst employment blackspots, according to a TUC analysis.

The findings are based on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants for Jobcentre Plus vacancies in every local authority from March 2005 to March 2011. This analysis ranks each of the 206 local authority areas by its claimant to vacancies ratio.

In March 2005, the London Borough of Newham was ranked the worst employment blackspot in Britain, with nearly 15 dole claimants per job vacancy.

But six years later, West Dunbartonshire took its place with over 40 dole claimants chasing every vacancy. The Scottish local authority area was ranked 38th in 2005, suggesting a marked decline in the local labour market since the recession.