THE number of new Universal Credit claimants soared in the early months of the pandemic – and many continued to need financial support for at least six months.

Across the Southampton (SO) postcode area, there were 12,635 new Universal Credit claimants in April 2020 and a further 14,039 in May 2020.

This compared to respective figures of 1,592 and 1,547 from April and May 2019.

The analysis of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data by the BBC Shared Data Unit shows there were eight-fold and nine-fold year-on-year increases for the months of April and May. Across the UK there was a seven-fold rise.

In SO postcodes, 54 per cent of the new April 2020 claimants and 45 per cent of the new May 2020 claimants were still receiving Universal Credit support six months on.

Meanwhile, in the Southampton City Council area alone there was a four per cent increase in the number of in-work Universal Credit claimants from February 2020 to October 2020.

Cllr Dave Shields, city council cabinet member for stronger communities, said he was “deeply alarmed” by claimant increases.

“The situation is worse in the most deprived neighbourhoods, where one in three adults is on out of work benefits. This can only get worse as Government funded initiatives such as the furlough scheme come to an end, and even more people are out of work,” said Cllr Shields.

He added: “I very much hope that the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will do the right thing and confirm in his Budget statement that the temporary uplift of Universal Credit will be made permanent. A failure to do so will only compound the misery already experienced in our poorest and most deprived communities, leading to more deprivation, worse health and increased crime.”

Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people of a working age on low income. It replaced income support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.

Mr Sunak introduced a £20 a week increase last April in his early Covid economic response but the government said the boost was designed as a temporary response for those unable to work or struggling in lockdown.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation – a charity which researches poverty – said millions of households face an income loss equivalent to £1,040 a year, and that 500,000 more people will be driven into poverty.

The government said additional help will be set out in tomorrow’s Budget

A DWP spokesperson said: “Universal Credit has been a lifeline for millions affected by the pandemic and will play a vital role as we build back better to recover our record breaking jobs market.”