UNEMPLOYMENT in the North-west is more than three times higher than official figures, a report has claimed.

The report, by researchers from Sheffield Hallam University, claims there is extensive "hidden unemployment" in Britain. The figures claim that "real" unemployment in the North-west is 430,000, or 12 per cent, compared with the official 130,000.

The researchers say a large number of people have been diverted from the Jobseekers Allowance.