UNEMPLOYMENT has risen across the district with the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance up by two thirds in just six months.

According to Government statistics there are now 2,498 people on the allowance up from 1,538 in November last year.

There are now 7.6 jobseekers for every job available in the Epping Forest District, which is higher than the national average of 7.4 and considerably more than the eastern region average of 5.8.

Nationwide, unemployment rose by 220,000 in the last quarter with young people aged 18-24 singled out as the worst hit group with a 19.1 per cent unemployment rate and nearly 1,000,000 people out of a job.

Ewen McGuinness, 23, from Loughton, has been looking for a job for nearly two years with little success.

He said: “I'm not really sure about the job market. I get disability claims because I'm dyslexic so it's harder for me to get a job. I live with my parents, so I'm not that worried about the economy.”

People the Guardian spoke to at Loughton's Jobcentre voiced their concerns at the current economic climate.

Jean Groves, 59, from Loughton, said: “I've been a receptionist all my life. I've worked nearly 45 years and never been out of work in my life. Now I am for the first time. I've got an interview today and two weeks' temp work. I'm going to find something if it kills me.”

Michael Stanton, 36, from Buckhurst Hill, was made redundant in June from his job in advertising.

He said: “I'm looking all the time. The job market is terrible, there's nothing there. I don't care what I get- I'll take anything. You've got to keep positive, but it's very hard to do.”

Gina Howard, 47, from Buckhurst Hill, who was at the job centre to sort out her incapacity benefits, was more optimistic about the future.

She said: “Once this is all sorted out I will go back to work. I'm quite lucky because I've done bar work. It's not too bad as long as you don't mind the rubbish money. It's the older generation losing their jobs, and they just can't get another job. Each time I've looked for a job, I've been quite lucky and walked straight into one.”