Wolverhampton MP's worry as claimants rise
An MP says that the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in his constituency is almost double the national percentage.
For Pat McFadden’s Wolverhampton South East seat there were 6,625 claimants in September, which was 11.4 per cent of the population aged 16 to 64-years-old while the UK claimant rate was 6.5 per cent.
It was 115 higher than August and 2,700 up on March, before the UK lockdown began.
“These figures show that the numbers out of work are rising, with the claimant count in my constituency being almost double the national average.
“The Government’s plans to withdraw furlough support at the end of this month were always going to result in a big increase in joblessness. The U-turn last week only offers people two thirds of their previous pay and doesn’t cover self-employed people at all,” said Mr McFadden.
“Ministers have to decide whether they are prepared to let unemployment take its course or keep support at a level which prevents that,” he added.
The constituency had 1,280 claimants aged 18 to 24-years-old last month, 45 higher than August and 525 up on March. Leaders warned the UK risked a second wave of job cuts and a slower economic recovery if it did not extend its furlough scheme. Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, workers placed on leave had received 80 per cent of their pay, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.
