There is an average of ten jobseekers for every job advertised in UK job centres, according to the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

This ratio has more than doubled over the past year - in January 2008 these was only four applications for every vacancy.

In some areas of the country the outlook is even worse; The Isle of Wight is the worst hit area with 60 applications for every available space in job centres. In 25 different council areas there are now more than 20 unemployed people per job.

"The government can no longer claim there is plenty of work available when there are as many as 20 dole claimants per jobcentre vacancy in parts of the country," TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber.

The government are releasing unemployment on Wednesday, with the latest figures expected to top the 2m mark.