Universal Credit claimants in Peterborough hits 24,000 as coronavirus continues to take its toll

Job Centre Plus. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) SUS-200204-154906001

New figures show the number of claimants last month increased by 525 people to 24,008 - a rise of 2.2 per cent on the previous month- as the fallout from the lockdown and fear of the virus continue to take their toll on jobs.

The rate of increase is a long way down on the figure for April when the number of claimants rose by 25.1 per cent to 16,993 people.

But it is still higher than the national rate of 1.8 per cent. Nationwide, there are 4,860,980 claimants.

The rate of increase across the East of England is 1.5 per cent with the claimant figure at 470,867 people.

But officials say that while the pandemic has delivered a sharp blow to some employment sectors, particularly hospitality and some retailers, many jobs are still being created in Peterborough.

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: “An increase of 525 claimants is still a significant figure but we are starting to see the number of new claimants get back to pre-Covid levels.

“But the true proof of the pudding will be the end of October when the furlough scheme ends. We might not have seen the full impact yet.

He added: “However, we are also seeing a good number of claimants starting to find work.”

The last few months have seen a series of recruitment announcements by a number of large companies.

Internet retailer Amazon has just anounced it is taking on 1,000 seasonal staff at its fulfilment centre at Kingston Park, Peterborough, and fresh food supplier AMK Fresh has created 120 jobs at its warehouse at Peterborough Gateway with cold storege experts Lineage Logistics look to take on 170 people as it expands its operations at Peterborough Gateway to create a South Eastern Superhub.

Royal Mail is also looking for seasonal staff in Peterborough and the DWP is recruiting 100 work coaches for its centres in Peterborough.

Cold storage firm to create 170 jobs in Peterborough as it builds regional superhub

Surge in Universal Credit claimants shows pain of lockdown for Peterborough residents