THE number of people who are underemployed in the West Midlands has increased by three per cent since 2010, according to figures released by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

While unemployment has fallen in the region by 32,000, underemployment - people working part time because they can’t get a full-time job, or wanting more hours in their current job - has risen by 7,000.

The current level of underemployment in the West Midlands is currently 258,000, which is 73,000 higher than it was before the recession in 2008.

The TUC said the analysis shows that despite talk of a recovery, continuing real wage falls mean that more people than ever are looking for extra hours.

Lee Barron, midlands regional secretary, said: “Ministers have made much of the improving jobs figures as a sign that all is now well with the economy.

“Although unemployment is falling, there are still over a quarter of a million people in the West Midlands who would like to be working more hours than they are.

“With more jobs being created, you’d expect that underemployment would be on the wane too, but sadly with part time, temporary, low paid jobs often the only work that people can get, under employment remains stubbornly high and is still rising.”

The TUC analysis was taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS).