Research shows towns worst hit by the recession

Research out today from uSwitch.com has discovered the towns worst hit by the recession.

Hardest hit was Swindon, where a 16 per cent drop in house prices was seen alongside high unemployment, which rose 197 per cent.

Luton took the biggest hit in terms of house prices, which fell 19 per cent; closely followed by Rochdale and Bristol. Aberdeen came out on top, where house prices rose by 5.6 per cent.

Brent was discovered to be the most recession proof area, with Sefton and Enfield closely following in second place.

The research by uSwitch.com took into account salary levels, unemployment, property prices and council tax across the largest local authorities, over the last two years.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: "Our research shows that the icy grip of recession is anything but even handed with the economic climate highlighting clear winners and losers across the UK.

"For once, this isn’t a 'north south divide' as some areas in the south-east are being hit far harder than anywhere else in the country. This research is designed to focus on the impact that the recession has on the man in the street. This is a million miles away from organisations facing multi-million losses and staggeringly high fat cat pensions.

"More now than ever before people must make sure they are getting the best deal from providers as you don’t know what’s around the corner."

Council tax was mixed, with those living in Trafford and Bury forking out five per cent more in council tax payments compared to Hammersmith and Fulham. Some 20 per cent of the authorities surveyed have had council tax frozen over the next year.

Rhondda, in the Welsh Valleys, was also badly hit by the recession, according to the research; where there was a 105 per cent increase in unemployment benefits claims, council tax was up 5 per cent and house prices fell 13.5 per cent.