Large cities outside of the capital have seen the biggest job losses over the last year as a result of the recession.
Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester have all seen sharp rises in the amount of people claiming unemployment benefit.
Birmingham saw the biggest jump as unemployment figures leapt from 33,274 in February 2008 to 45,657 in February 2009 - an increase of 12,383.
The figures were collected by the Work Foundation who say the North, West Midlands and Scotland were the worst affected areas.
'Policymakers ignore how recessions play out locally at their peril," said Naomi Clayton, senior researcher at the Work Foundation.
'It is to be hoped that the forthcoming Budget focuses more attention on the large cities - Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham - that can drive the recovery, as well as recognising which areas need the most support to survive and prepare for better times.'
Between Feb 08 - Feb 09
Birmingham: Number of unemployment benefit claimants rose from 33,274 to 45,657, from 5.3% to 7.3%
Leeds: Number of claimants rose from 12,628 to 21,558, from 2.5% to 4.3%
Glasgow: Number of claimants rose from 14,403 to 20,276, from 3.7% to 5.2%
Sheffield: Number of claimants rose from 8,463 to 14,017, from 2.5% to 4.1%
Hull: Number of claimants rose from 8,062 to 13,366, from 4.8% to 8%
Manchester: Number of claimants rose from 10,836 to 16,069, from 3.4% to 5.1%
Bradford: Number of claimants rose from 9,242 to 14,321, from 3% to 4.7%
Kirklees: Number of claimants rose from 5,980 to 10,960, from 2.4% to 4.4%
Liverpool: Number of claimants rose from 15,208 to 20,055, from 5.3% to 7%
Bristol: Number of claimants rose from 5,057 to 9,771, from 1.8% 3.5%
Two ways to improve local authority finances
The NAO has concluded insufficient action has been taken to address weaknesses in council finances. Teams from TLT LLP consider what councils should do next.
