Figures out today show that the number of people claiming job seeker's allowance in Norfolk increased by more by more than 1,400 in January to 17,600.
It comes as a government minister warned the country is facing a 'ticking time bomb' of youth unemployment as record numbers of 16 to 24-year-olds are out of work and more people than ever are in part-time jobs because they can't find full-time work.
In Norfolk more than 5,200 18 to 24-year-olds are claiming job seeker's allowance.
The GMB said nationally tens of thousands of council workers who volunteered for redundancy had already left and joined the unemployment register with projections of thousands more to follow.
• For full regional analysis see tomorrow's EDP
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