30 April 2009
Areas across the UK are experiencing different levels of financial difficulty, new research shows.
Findings compiled by uSwitch.com show Swindon has been hit the hardest, with a 16% fall in house prices and rise in unemployment being the most prominent issues.
In addition to this, the number of people benefiting from job seekers allowance has experienced an increase of 197% in the last year.
The study encompassed 98 of the country's largest local authorities, which were then ranked in terms of how hard hit they have been by the recession.
The north-west areas of Trafford and Bury have experienced increases in council tax, despite 20% of the country's largest local authorities having their tax frozen for the next tax year.
The latest Hometrack survey found that the decline of house prices in the UK was beginning to slow.