William Eichler 26 March 2020

Nearly 500,000 new Universal Credit claims made in nine days

A think tank has warned that the UK is in the midst of an unemployment crisis as 477,000 new Universal Credit (UC) claims are made in nine days.

Responding to the disclosure of new figures by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Resolution Foundation says that this rate of new UC claims represents an increase of over 500% compared to the same period last year.

The think tank warns that this increase ‘dwarfs’ the increases to Jobseeker’s Allowance at the height of the financial crisis, in which weekly increases in new starts peaked at 78%.

The number of new claims to UC in the past nine days, they added, is greater than the successful claims made to JSA in any entire month during the financial crisis.

‘The unprecedented surge in new Universal Credit claims shows that the UK is already in the midst of an unemployment crisis,’ said Karl Handscomb, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation.

‘The increase in claims is putting huge pressure on our social security system, and is driven by a huge hit to family incomes.

‘The Government was right to increase the generosity of the benefits system last week. It now needs to ensure the resources are there so that claims are processed quickly, and people receive support as soon as possible.’

The Resolution Foundation also says that the scale and duration of unemployment increases ‘remains very uncertain’.

They warned policy makers not to assume a repeat of the ‘smaller-than-expected’ increase in unemployment that was seen during the financial crisis.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Enforcement and Monitoring Officer (Planning Enforcement)

West Northamptonshire Council
£34,203 - £37,067
About the role West Northamptonshire Council is looking for a dedicated and proactive Planning Enforcement Officer to help drive forward its place-shaping agenda. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the best developments are d Towcester
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

HGV & Municipal Vehicle Technician

Ribble Valley Borough Council
Scale 5 (scp 16-19) £29,572 to £31,067 per annum
The maintenance is undertaken in the Council’s vehicle workshop on the Salthill Industrial Estate, Clitheroe Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Moving into Adulthood Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£39,190 - £41,797
About the role We recognise the challenges faced by young people and their families as they transition from children’s services into adult services, and are committed to ensuring that we have the right conversations with them at the right time to ensure Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Director of Transport

East Midlands Combined County Authority
£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recuriter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Director of Children’s Services (DCS)

Swindon Borough Council
£129,000
Be the DCS you always wanted to be. Swindon, Wiltshire
Recuriter: Swindon Borough Council
Linkedin Banner