There are more than 15 applicants for every vacancy in Redbridge according to a survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The unemployment crisis has been put down to high inflation levels and problematic parking issues, by Redbridge Chamber of Commerce co-chairman Geoff Hill.

“It’s a bad time for small businesses and it’s a bad time for people who want to find work,” he said.

“But we know Redbridge Council is doing a lot to try and create jobs, and make it easier for people to spend their money, for example listening on the parking consultation,” he added.

Youth unemployment rates in the borough are higher than overall unemployment, with around 10 per cent of 16-24-year-olds in the borough out of work.

Mr Hill said: “A lot of young people will be looking to work locally and we know that firms are finding it difficult to offer work.

“We need to make sure that any inward investment attracts as much local employment as possible,” he added.

MP for Ilford South Mike Gapes said: “Unemployment is at its highest level since 1992. Part of the problem is all the public sector jobs are being got rid of.”

Redbridge comes tenth in England, as one of the hardest boroughs to get employment. Ilford North’s MP Lee Scott, whose constituency has 3.9 per cent unemployment, said: “It’s important we carry on creating opportunities like apprenticeships for young people.

“We can all acknowledge there is a problem, the facts are there for everyone to see, but what’s important is how we deal with it,” he added.

Ilford North has 2,531 people claiming jobseeker’s allowance, a 17.6 per cent increase on 12 months earlier.

In Ilford South, 4,331 people are claiming jobseeker’s allowance, up 18 per cent on September of last year