First the figures. Unemployment has hit a 12-year high of 2.26 million, the worst figure since the first months of the Blair administration. In the three months to April, the jobless total has risen by 232,000.

The same batch of figures from the Office for National Statistics show youth unemployment (18-24) reaching its worst level since 1994 after a 74,000 increase to 695,000. Long-term unemployment, counting those out of work for more than a year, increased by 54,000 in the latest quarter to 515,000. the highest for a decade.

And all 232,000 of them, all 74,00, 54,000, 515,000 or 2.26 million have a story to tell. Some will be muddling through; others suffering; many more will be worried about the prospect joining them before the economy recovers.

Many others are out of work but not counted for one reason or another: perhaps they’re deemed “too old” or there’s no point signing on as unemployed because they have too many savings or a partner who earns too much.

We’d like to hear your stories. If you, a friend or anyone in your family has lost their job, tell us here about what happened and the effect it has had.