There are 32 people chasing every vacancy Labour leader Michael Foot

Afterwards, Labour leader, Michael Foot, said: "When Mrs Thatcher came into office there were five people chasing each job and that was bad enough. Today there are 32 people chasing every vacancy and in some parts of the country, it's double that."

More than 750,000 people are now classed as longterm unemployed.

Employment Secretary Norman Tebbit did not appear to be offering any quick fixes when he said: "We are gradually fighting back in competitive terms against our rivals. As we can expand the economy so there will be more jobs available in the future."

The level of unemployment in Britain is almost the highest in Europe - second only to Belgium.

The two main factors behind the rise in the jobless total are the economic recession and the restructuring of industry.

In cities like Coventry, workers are being made redundant by the closure of traditional manufacturing industries. The British Leyland factory making MGs closed 15 months ago, putting 700 people out of work.

After 21 years working for MG, Eddie McAvinue is now looking after his grandchildren. He says he felt bitter to start with - but not any more: "When I look round and there's young people with A and O levels and they can't get jobs, I just accept it now. I can't do anything else"

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