West Country unemployment claims nearly double in April amid coronavirus pandemic

Unemployment claims in the West Country have nearly doubled during the coronavirus lockdown.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that during April 146,000 people claimed Universal Credit or Job Seekers Allowance in the South West.

That's a 93% increase from the figure of 75,800 in March.

Streets that would normally be buzzing with life have gone quiet due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Credit: ITV News

The rise in claims is significantly higher than the national average of 69%.

Nationally the ONS said that jobless claims for Universal Credit surged by 856,000 to 2.1 million in April.

These figures show what many fear is the start of a significant rise in unemployment levels as the country faces a recession.

The Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey says the Government hopes to help as many people back to work as possible after the lockdown is over.

Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics at the ONS, said: “While only covering the first weeks of restrictions, our figures show Covid-19 is having a major impact on the labour market."

The streets of towns like Liskeard have been close t lifeless during the lockdown. Credit: ITV News

Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also commented saying: “These figures show the severity of the crisis we are facing."