Universal Credit claims increase by 17% from April

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Universal Credit claims have risen

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people in the Rochdale borough claiming Universal Credit has increased by 17% in a month, latest figures show.

Between April and May 2020, the number of local residents claiming Universal Credit increased by 17.2%, meaning approximately 25,000 are claiming the benefit, following government advice to apply for the benefit before a number of rescue measures were introduced.

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. It replaces Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Working Tax Credit.

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: “The figures are starting to show the impact of Covid-19 on our economy. Already our nationwide network of work coaches have moved in to support jobseekers across sectors and match them with employers who are recruiting. By responding to the needs of communities across the UK they will be at the heart of our revival and renewal, helping people find new roles and move forward with their lives.”

Although Jobcentres are currently closed, staff continue to support claimants. Recently, the service introduced ‘Customer Support Calls’ from work coaches in the Jobcentres to claimants, offering support, encouraging self-service and signposting claimants to local vacancies and opportunities.

Local Jobcentres are currently supporting large recruitment exercises with Capita for ‘Homeworkers’ working on behalf of the government on the ‘Test & Trace’ service. Concentrix have hundreds of jobs at their Middleton call centre on various customer service campaigns, and Blue Arrow, which has over 300 vacancies – 90 are part time (9.30am to 2.30pm Monday – Friday) which will help lone parents and families when their children go back to school.

Call centres throughout the area are gearing up for ‘home-based’ call centre jobs, therefore a ‘distance learning project with customer service skills’ was planned in conjunction with Bury College, MANTRA Learning and Standguide.

Online Distance Learning is now having the final touches put together to be ready for sector-based work academies with Capita Test & Trace jobs, Concentrix for their call centre in Middleton and Blue Arrow is also utilising this initiative to recruit up to 150 customer service operatives for the television licence campaign that they are handling in their Radcliffe-based call centre.

The NHS continues to offer various jobs which are all featured on the DWP Findajob website at:

• jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/