ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Inner London has the highest concentration of “never-worked” households in the UK, according to a new report.

The study says 3.4 per cent of working-age households in central London are made up of people who have never had a job – almost three times higher than the UK average of 1.3 per cent.

The number of households where no-one has worked grew sharply in the late 1990s and early 2000s, more than doubling from 115,000 to 260,000 nationally between 1995 and 2005.

Since then the number has remained steady, reaching 264,000 in 2012, says the report, “What explains the rise in never-worked households?”, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

264,000 Number of households in London where people have never had a job

The analysis suggests that the rise may be in part due to the difficulty faced by some young people finding a first job after leaving education.

It also suggests that some lone parents and disabled people are struggling to find jobs that are suitable, or that can be made to fit around caring responsibilities.

There may be particular barriers to work for some, especially ethnic minorities and recent immigrants, in inner London and other large cities.

Chris Goulden, head of policy and research at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said “These figures show the difficulty that some people face trying to get onto the first step of the career ladder.

Long-term worklessness is a major problem that can have a devastating effect on physical, mental and financial health Chris Goulden, head of policy and research at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

“People from households who have never worked are more likely to be lone parents, disabled people or aged under 24. These all point to groups who are struggling to find a way into work.

“Never-worked households make up a small percentage of households in the UK, but long-term worklessness is a major problem that can have a devastating effect on physical, mental and financial health.”

He added: The figures are indicative of wider problems with job opportunities.

Employers, schools, colleges and the Government all have a responsibility to create more and better job opportunities which are suitable for people in at risk groups, and provide support for people who need help getting a first step on the career ladder.”