MORE than 3m workers fear they will lose their job in the next year because of the economic slowdown, according to research.

The survey of almost 3,000 workers across Britain showed that workers in the east of England were most optimistic about employment prospects, along with those in London, Yorkshire and the west midlands.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Of course this does not mean that unemployment will rise by anything like 3m, but it does show just how jittery people have become about the economy. These findings add to the growing pressure on the government and economic policy makers to put growth first."