Concerns have been expressed about the long-term damage rising unemployment could cause in the region.
A Centre for Cities study shows jobseekers in the North face up to 50 per cent more competition for a job than in other areas, with Hull 10th in the list of places where securing employment is toughest.
It comes at a time when there are increased fears over redundancies as the furlough scheme tapers off.
Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce external affairs manager, David Hooper, said: “We are concerned about rising unemployment in the Humber’s major conurbations like Hull, Grimsby and Scunthorpe as the Government’s furlough scheme winds down following the Covid-19 crisis.
“The next few months will be crucial for employers as they bring people back into the workplace, while some employers are looking at how they operate and reshaping their businesses accordingly."
Middlesbrough ranked in first place, and cities including Sunderland, Burnley, Birkenhead and Huddersfield also feature in the top 10.
Mr Hooper continued: “We welcome in particular the Government’s announcements on apprenticeships for young people who are most at risk as furloughing is withdrawn.
“The hospitality and retail sector are another major concern – anyone who has ventured into a pub since the lockdown restrictions were eased will know that things are very different to how they used to be. There is considerable fear among the general public about going out again, and the capacity of many pubs and restaurants has been greatly reduced thanks to social distancing.
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“We hope the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out initiative will help in the coming months and protect jobs.
“While every part of the country has been affected by Covid-19, it is the towns and cities which faced tougher economic conditions before the crisis which are likely to be the hardest hit, and most of those are in the North.
“This makes the Government’s levelling up ambitions all the more important, especially in northern Lincolnshire, Hull and the East Riding.”