The number of unemployment benefit claimants in the Henley constituency is down another 65 this month and now stands at 1,460. This is a rate of 2.5% of the population between 16 and 64 which is exactly half the UK rate. The figure of those unemployed who are 18-24 was 20 lower. The majority of the overall increase compared with the pre-pandemic period happened in March-May 2020 at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
John said: “I welcome this further drop in the number of unemployment benefit claimants. Figures today show the number of people in employment actually rose by 207,000 last month across the country and is now above pre-pandemic levels, with job vacancies and wages also rising. As we move beyond the pandemic, our priority is getting people back into work and helping businesses to thrive.”
As part of the government's response to coronavirus (COVID-19), a number of enhancements were introduced to Universal Credit. These may have increased the number of employed people who are eligible for unemployment-related benefits. Consequently, while some of the increase in the Claimant Count will be due to people who have become unemployed, some will also be due to employed people who have become eligible for Universal Credit as part of the government response.
