By Local Universal Credit claims double
The number of people claiming Universal Credit has soared as inflation rates continue to rise.
In the case of Waltham in North East Lincolnshire, figures have more than doubled, rising from 130 to 264 in just a year.
This means that 3.9% of the area’s population are now claiming, an increase of 1.9% two years earlier.
This is the largest increase ever recorded in North East Lincolnshire.
On Grimsby’s East Marsh 1,592 or 36.8% of people are recorded to be claiming Universal Credit.
These are among the highest levels in Britain.
Across the borough as a whole, 18,332 people are currently claiming Universal Credit.
In February 2020 just 11,415 residents were recorded as claimants.
The rising cost of living has seen families and households across the nation struggle to balance their budgets more than ever in recent months.
Prices are rising faster than wages and the Bank of England thinks inflation could hit double digits this year.
Adam Corlett, Principal Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Low-to-middle income households will be hardest hit by the cost of living squeeze, especially when the energy price cap rises, and should therefore be the priority for support.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to outline a new Spring budget at midday today.
Campaigners have called for him to boost benefit levels significantly higher than in previous years to account for continually rising costs.
There is speculation Mr Sunak could cut fuel duty, boost benefits and raise the threshold for national insurance today.
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