Over three million UK workers are afraid they will lose their job over the next 12 months, according to a new poll commissioned by the TUC.

The union found that 13 per cent of the country’s workforce – or 3.3 million individuals – feel they may be out of work in a year’s time.

Confidence was lowest in Wales, where 20 per cent of workers expressed concern over their job security, while those in the east of England were the most optimistic.

People in low paid jobs feel less secure than those with higher salaries and employees working for bigger companies are more positive than those employed by small firms.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said the poll shows "just how jittery people have become about the economy and their own job".

He urged the government and economic policy makers to do "all they can" to restore confidence in the employment market.

The British Chambers of Commerce warned recently that unless the Bank of England moves to cut interest rates there could be a significant rise in unemployment in the UK.