Unemployment is rising faster in this recession than at anytime since the 1980s, according to official figures.

Data from the Office For National Statistics show that the current recession has hit the West Midlands hardest.

The finance and business services sector has been acutely affected by job losses, suffering the steepest increase since 1978.

Unemployment rates for 18-24 year olds has increased to 16.1 per cent, and men are being more affected than women.