A report, published jointly by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Government Equalities Office, says that young people, those living in deprived areas and men have suffered the biggest rises in unemployment in the recession so far.

The report, 'Monitoring the impact of the recession on various demographic groups', covers the first quarter of 2009 and looks at the impact of the recession across groups by age, gender, race and disability.

16.2 per cent - or one in six - of 18-24 year olds are currently unemployed, compared to 12 per cent for the same period last year.

The report is available to download from the Department for Work and Pensions website.