WORCESTER’S unemployment claims have surged by more than 50 per cent in April during the coronavirus lockdown, official figures reveal.

The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) said that Worcester’s unemployment claims under Universal Credit rose by 2,079 in April, compared with the previous month.

In March, 4,011 people applied for benefits, however a month later there were 6,090 Universal Credit claimants – these figures show a 51.8 per cent increase.

Nationally, around 10,000 people have been deployed to the front line during the pandemic. In the West Midlands, this includes around 800 residents who have gone back to work to join the fight against the coronavirus.

A DWP spokesman for Worcester said: “We are seeing job opportunities, mainly in the care sector and smaller numbers across other sectors. We expect land-based opportunities will start to emerge later this month and through June.”

Worcester MP Robin Walker said the rise in unemployment was not unexpected, saying he wanted to see employers helping people back into work. He said: "Obviously it is a huge increase and not completely unexpected given the economic impact of lockdown - it is obviously very concerning. These figures show the extraordinary situation we are in with lockdown and the importance of the job retention scheme.

"Obviously not every business has been able to take advantage, but I have been working with local employers like Worcester Bosch to ensure as many people as possible can return to their jobs.

"We need employers to recognise that while demand dropped during lockdown, that demand will pick up again so it is very important we see employers hold on to their people."

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP: “Clearly these figures are behind on our current struggle but the impact of this global health emergency is now starting to show – and we’re doing everything we can to protect jobs and livelihoods.

“What these statistics do highlight is that heading into the pandemic, we had built strong foundations in our economy, which will be crucial as we gradually move forward as the lockdown eases and look to bounce back.”

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