Benefits claimants double in last year in Melton borough

Jobcentre Plus, a government agency which supports people of working age, has published its latest statistics and they illustrate the impact the Covid pandemic has had on the nation.

In the Melton borough in December, there were 1,245 people claiming Universal Credit while seeking employment and/or making claims for New-Style Jobseekers’ Allowance.

That represents an increase of 120 per cent on the figure for 12 months before, in December 2019.

There were similar increases in claimants of these benefits across the country.

In neighbouring Rutland, the figure went up by 177.8 per cent, rising from 270 people in December 2019 to 750 just a year later.

Those claiming only Universal Credit - typically people on low incomes or those unemployed - has risen to 3,618 from 1,972 in the year to December 20, an increase of 83.5 per cent.