Huge rise in Universal Credit claims in Sheffield due to the coronavirus

The number of people claiming the benefit in Sheffield has risen by more than 1,000, figures show, as the effects of the shutdown begin to be seen on the area's economy.

With millions of people out of work across the UK, benefits experts Turn2us said the nation's welfare state is "creaking round the seams" as it urged the Government to remove the five-week wait for claimants’ first monthly Universal Credit payment.

Department for Work and Pensions figures show 23,090 people in Sheffield were on Universal Credit as of March 12 – a six per cent increase on the month before.

Figures on claimants are only available prior the point Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed strict social distancing rules by placing the country into lockdown. But national figures show the DWP have processed 1.8 million new claims from individuals in the month since, meaning the figure in Sheffield is likely to be much higher by now.

Anna Stevenson, welfare benefit expert at Turn2us, said: "Millions of people, many completely new to the benefits system, are making claims for Universal Credit due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"While our welfare state is providing some protection, it is creaking round the seams. We urge the Government to eliminate the five-week wait for Universal Credit so people can put food on the table today and avoid the debt trap."

National figures show the biggest increase in claims between February and March was among those aged 60 or over.

In Sheffield, the number of people aged 60 to 65 on UC increased by seven per cent, while the number of 66-plus claimants rose from 30 to 36.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, said: "Since the coronavirus outbreak many older workers have lost their jobs and have turned to Universal Credit.

“Given older jobseekers typically take longer to get back in to work than do younger workers, we need to see an immediate investment in back-to-work support targeted at the over 60s."