The number of people looking for work in West Dunbartonshire has increased by almost 50 percent over the last five years, new figures show.
Statistics published last week by the Department for Work and Pensions show that the Alternative Claimant Count for those receiving Universal Credit payments whilst looking for work has risen by 46 percent over the last five years, an increase of 1388.
Figures for the amount of young people looking for work have soared by 42 percent over the same period, with an additional 240 residents between the ages of 18 and 24 now seeking employment.
Across the UK, the number of people classified as unemployed rose by 1.5 percent over the last quarter. The figure has spiked by 110 percent over the last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of people claiming Universal Credit payments in West Dunbartonshire meanwhile increased by 257 between January and February of this year, with a total of 9730 locals now claiming the lifeline payments.
Figures for the number of people furloughed locally were also published last week, with the total statistics showing a slight drop from 6100 to 5800 between the end of January and end of February.
Of those on furlough locally, the majority (1650) work in accommodation and food services and wholesale and retail (970).
West Dunbartonshire’s furlough rate of 14 percent is just below the Scottish average of 15 percent, and a sizable drop from the peak last May - when more than 10,400 local people were on the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme.
Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: “These figures highlight the challenges facing us on our road to recovery but there is reason for optimism with more workers on payrolls and over half a million vacancies out there.
“The UK Government’s Plan for Jobs is delivering for people of all ages right across Scotland and the rest of country - and with the recruitment of over 800 Work Coaches and the launch of our £22m Job-Entry Targeted Support, we’re helping even more Scots back
into work as we push to build back better.”
West Dunbartonshire MSP Martin Docherty-Hughes added: “The Tories like to pat themselves on the back for the furlough scheme, but as unemployment continues to rise it’s clear that far too many people are being left behind.
“Millions of individuals and small businesses hit hard by the pandemic have been unfairly excluded from financial support by Boris Johnson’s government - including many here in West Dunbartonshire.
“Households have been forced to turn to Universal Credit in record numbers, and yet the Tories intend to reduce these welfare payments by £20 per week - a cut in support which risks pushing thousands of my constituents further into financial hardship.
“These figures are deeply worrying, especially given the number of young people currently out of work. As we seek to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, Westminster cannot be allowed once again to treat the needs of our communities as an afterthought.”
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