Blain Austin, from Queensway in Didcot, is wondering how he will survive the biggest surge in unemployment since 1997.

The father of Kayley, 16, and 14-year-old Natalie was made redundant from his job as a van driver at Scope, based in Brackley, in September.

In the past month, the 49-year-old has applied for 50 jobs.

Mr Austin said: “There are quite a lot of people I know that are in the same boat, and they have more qualifications than I have.

“I think because there are so many unemployed, employers can be more picky.”

Mr Austin’s partner Jenette Easton, 47, works 60 hours a week as a care worker at Brook House Residential Care Home, in Didcot, to support the family while Mr Austin is out of work.

He added: “I haven’t been out of work since I was 16.

“Christmas this year was very very difficult. It was a struggle, but my partner luckily was offered more overtime.”

Andrew Spencer, 41, of Trinity Close, Bicester, used to work in a warehouse for the Ministry of Defence, but has been out of work for eight months.

Outside the Oxford Job Centre in Worcester Street, Oxford, yesterday, he said: “There is just nothing around at the moment.

“It doesn’t help that I have to pay my travel all the way in from Bicester to come here either.

“I’m not fussy – I will take anything at the moment.”

Father of two Said Noreyn, 34, of Rose Hill, lost his job of five years last month at the BMW plant in Cowley.

He said: “I have been trying everything. I am not the sort of person who enjoys sitting around and claiming benefits.”

Fully qualified teacher Marie Catto, is looking for work while she waits for a teaching role.

She said: “I think the size of the problem has been blown out of proportion, and the more people talk about how bad things are, the more wary employers are about taking people on.”