South Yorkshire towns among the top ten facing increased unemployment due to coronavirus

Doncaster and Barnsley have both seen unemployment numbers rise by more than two per cent since March this year, when the lockdown restrictions were put in place by the Government.

Doncaster ranks sixth in the list, with a 2.6 per cent increase reflecting 4,950 more people claiming since March. Barnsley is seventh with 2.5 per cent, accounting for 3,865 more claimants.

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, take into account the number of people claiming unemployment benefits – such as universal credit – in the months since lockdown began compared to the months directly before.

The rising number of people claiming benefits coincides with companies laying off staff, citing an inability to pay wages as business suffers due to forced closure during lockdown and the weakened economy brought on by the pandemic.

Many freelancers have also lost work due to cancellations and closures, and are also now able to claim universal credit.

Sheffield ranked at number 33 in the list, with an unemployment increase of 2.1 per cent since lockdown began.

A spokesperson for research group Centre for Cities said: “A number of factors are driving these results – industry composition, use of the Job Retention Scheme, eligibility for benefits among others – but one thing is certain: unemployment is rising fast, especially in places that already had weaker economies.

“Reducing this number will be the biggest challenge for the Government for months ahead.”