The number of people claiming out-of-work-benefits in South Lanarkshire has almost doubled in the last year.
New analysis reveals over 5000 more residents in South Lanarkshire are claiming out-of-work benefits.
Official figures show a shocking 84 per cent increase in South Lanarkshire’s claimant count between December 2019 and December last year – up from 6675 to 12,315.
Commenting on the figures, East Kilbride MSP, Linda Fabiani, told the East Kilbride News: “These figures don’t fully reflect the impact of coronavirus or even give the full picture of employment statistics.
“The Job Retention Scheme plays an extremely important role in supporting employers and employees and it must be extended beyond the end of April so there is no cliff edge. Businesses will need time to prepare as the economy opens once restrictions start to be lifted.
“There is no denying this is an extremely uncertain time for the economy and jobs, however I am positive the Scottish Government will do all it can to stimulate growth and ensure we emerge from this crisis in a strong position.”
The stats published by Nomis – a service provided by the Office for National Statistics, also breaks down claimants per age group.
In December 2019, there were 1215 claimants in South Lanarkshire in the 18 to 24 age group, by December 2020, this increased to, 2255 claimants.
Increasing by 80 per cent in the last year was the 25 to 49 age group claiming out of work benefits.
In December 2019, there were 3700 claimants, this increased to 6685 in Decmber 2020.
The findings reveal a greater problem as the findings are replicated up and down the country.
Stats show that there is almost 100,000 more Scots are claiming out-of-work benefits.
In December 2019 there were 110,705 claimants, this increased to 207,180 in December 2020
The Claimant Count is a measure of the number of people claiming benefits for unemployment related purposes taken from DWP administrative sources.
Currently the Claimant Count is a composite of the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and those claiming Universal Credit (UC) who are required to seek work to qualify for their benefits.
Combining these two identifies all the people claiming benefit principally for the reason of being unemployed.
Many users’ interest in the Claimant Count specifically relates to its tracking of the claimants of benefits for this purpose.
