Coronavirus: Latest figures show reduced number of new Universal Credit claims in Newham

Between May 14 and June 11, there were 3,167 new claims made in Newham, compared to 16,189 for the previous month (between April 9 and May 14).

Though these extra claims mean there are currently 45,100 people on universal credit in the borough, the jump between May and June is “really encouraging”, says department of work and pensions (DWP) customer service leader Kay Pegler.

Romford-based Kay attributes the change to a recovering labour market: “The economy is starting to open up again, so even though there are still significant numbers on universal credit, more people are getting into, and going back to, work.”

Although mindful that there could be a post-October spike after the furlough scheme ends, Kay hopes that the initiative to reward employers who retain furloughed workers reduces the risk.

The leader is also pleased by the focus on helping young people, and believes the Kickstart scheme, alongside additional bonuses for hiring apprentices, should help the demographic most vulnerable to unemployment.

Newham approached lockdown with almost 20,000 claimants, recording 19,806 on March 12.

By contrast, Havering had 9,649 at the same point; Barking and Dagenham had 14,544.

Only Tower Hamlets (20,244) recorded higher March numbers, a trend that has continued in the months since.

This month’s rise — 3,167 new claimants — is notable when considered against the 16,189 new applications which came the month before.

Kay says the focus is now on getting claimants back into work, with the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) designed to help with this.

Given a fresh injection of £150m, the fund pays for things such as travel or interview clothes, allowing the individual to focus only on getting the job: “We want to give them the tools to thrive.”

The DWP is also hiring more work coaches to get people into work; 192 are being recruited across east London, with the department aiming to have 27,000 nationwide by March 2021.