Eastbourne and Wealden see increase in Universal Credit claimants

The Jobcentre’s most recent set of data shows that as of January 14 Eastbourne had 11,663 Universal Credit claimants which is an increase of 1.3 per cent from the month before (11,518).

Wealden experienced a slightly greater increase of 2.2 per cent as their numbers rose from 9,289 to 9,491 claimants.

This mirrored the trend seen nationally as the number of Universal Credit claimants increased by two per cent.

According to new data released by the Office for National Statistics, the unemployment rate for people aged 16 and above nationally also increased by 0.1 per cent from 5.0 to 5.1, the highest number in almost five years.

Fortunately, for the three months ending in December 2020, the highest employment rate estimate in the UK was in the South East with 78.6 per cent.

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said, “Universal Credit continues to support millions of people during their time of need. It is a vital safety net that has stood up to the challenge of the pandemic, and with thousands of new work coaches we are helping claimants across the country get back on their feet with one-to-one tailored support.

“Universal Credit is one of the pillars of our support for families with lower incomes. Alongside it, our Covid Winter Grant Scheme is keeping vulnerable children warm and well-fed, and our Plan for Jobs is helping people back on their feet and into work, with nearly two million people being supported through innovative programmes such as Kickstart and the Job Entry Targeted Support scheme.”

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said, “Today’s figures highlight the challenges people are still facing, but there are glimmers of hope with employment relatively stable, over 600,000 people moving onto payrolls and hours worked up.

“With the Prime Minister setting out the roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown and the vaccine rollout protecting millions of people, we’re looking ahead to our recovery – our Plan for Jobs is creating new opportunities, boosting skills, and delivering a package of support for people of all ages, getting Brits back into work as we push to build back better.”

Anyone wanting any support can call Eastbourne Jobcentre on 0800 169 0190.