The number of people who are claiming Universal Credit due to unemployment has soared by 80%, councillors will hear next week.
A report to members of the Outer West Community Committee – which covers Farnley & Wortley, Pudsey and Calverley & Farsley wards – shows that the number of claimants in November 2021 was 3,212. The report added:
“This is an increase of 80% since March 2020, which is reflective across all wards due to the impact of Covid-19. There is a small decrease of 30 on the previous month.
“The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) ceased at the end of September 2021, and there was an expectation that a number of people would have been made redundant which would have subsequently increased claimants to Universal Credit, which has not come to fruition in the latest release.”
The report also points to an increase in people using the council’s employment and skills service. During April – December 2021 649 people living in the Outer West, an increase of 9% when compared to the same period last year.
Members will discuss the figures at next Wednesday’s Outer West Community Committee meeting at Leeds Civic Hall. The agenda and reports can be read in full here.