The TUC research - published ahead of the 143rd annual Congress which begins on Monday (12 September) and is being held in London for the first time since 1902 - ranks the City of London and each of the 32 London boroughs by the ratio of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) claimants to every Jobcentre Plus job vacancy.
In July 2011, across the capital the average ratio was nine job seekers for every available job, compared to a GB-wide figure of six per vacancy. Boroughs in the Eastern half of the capital, including Waltham Forest (25 job seekers for every vacancy), Hackney (22), Lewisham (21) and Redbridge (15), had some of the highest ratio of JSA claimants to job vacancies.
As the UK moves towards a new North-South divide, London seems to be witnessing an East-West divide, says the TUC. The City and West London are currently faring much better than the East, with Kingston upon Thames (three), Westminster (three), Richmond upon Thames (four) and Hillingdon (four), the best London boroughs in which to secure employment as they have the lowest ratios of job seekers per available job.
The TUC has analysed how these figures have changed since last year (July 2010). Over the past year, around 50% (16 out of 33) of London boroughs have experienced an increase in the number of job seekers per vacancy. The Eastern half of London has borne the brunt of this increase with some of the highest rises seen in Waltham Forest (14.5%) and Barking and Dagenham (4.6%).
Since July 2010 the unemployment rate has also increased in 25 out the 33 London boroughs, five are unchanged and only three London boroughs have seen their unemployment rate drop, showing that economic recovery in London is still some way off.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "While bankers are back popping champagne corks and picking up mega bonuses in the City, many ordinary Londoners are struggling to find work.
"Ministers claim there are plenty of jobs out there, but with more than 20 job seekers chasing each vacancy in parts of the capital, there are terrible employment blackspots that cause huge economic and social damage to local areas.
"Strong and sustainable economic growth is the only way to tackle our jobs crisis but the government's deep and rapid spending cuts are jeopardising our chances of recovery.
"The Chancellor urgently needs to put forward a plan B before our economy heads back towards recession and even more people lose their jobs."
