UNIVERSAL CREDIT CLAIMS SOAR IN COV

THE number of people claiming Universal Credit in Coventry rose by more than a third between March and April as the lockdown took hold.

As the latest unemployment figures were released it emerged that locally there were 23,332 Universal Credit claimants in Coventry as of April 9.

That number jumped from 17,348 as of March 12.

Looking at the national picture, unemployment in the UK jumped to 2.1 million in the month to April as the effects of coronavirus began to be felt in the economy.

Business leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire believe the latest unemployment figures highlight the need for continued support for firms beyond lockdown.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “A rise in unemployment is always a cause for concern but these figures come as no real surprise when you consider the impacts that the Covid-19 outbreak has had.

“It’s fair to say the number would have been much higher had it not been for the furlough scheme which we know has been a huge support to businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire.

“And, even with that, we can expect unemployment to continue to rise when the next figures are released.

“It’s vitally important as the economy begins to restart, and as more and more businesses get back to work, that support remains in place and that the full impact on companies is recognised.”

Ms Bennett added: “Businesses which have survived this period will have to rebuild when they come out the other side and that is going to take time.

“Help for companies will need continue and in the short, medium and long term, the Government must create a low tax and supportive environment for firms to eventually grow again.”

The Department for Work and Pensions has said it is pulling out all the stops to process Universal Credit claims as quickly as possible.

Samantha Mclean, disability employment adviser leader Sandwell, said thousands of staff have been redeployed and thousands more hired.

She said: “Ten thousand staff have been redeployed working on the frontline and are dealing with claims as quickly as possible.

“There has also been a rapid recruitment drive and we have actually recruited an additional 5,000 members of staff.

“The system is coping with the additional pressure.”

She added: “We have also been in a position to deal with the increase in demand because Universal Credit is agile. That means we can deal with increased capacity.”

The process has also been made easier, according to Ms Mclean, with people able to submit claims by phone or online. She said: “The previous system involved booking an appointment and coming into the Jobcentre. Now we make a call to the customer to streamline the process.”