What impact has Covid had on Eastbourne’s employment rates?

The impact that Covid has had on employment in Eastbourne has been revealed by the Jobcentre.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The number of people claiming universal credit in Eastbourne rose to just under 11,400 in October according to figures from the Jobcentre – compared to 6,286 in March.

The alternative claimant count stands at more than 4,700. This measures the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

These figures come after it was announced 5.8 million people across the UK were on universal credit in November, an increase of 3 per cent and the number of paid employees in the UK has fallen by 819,000 since Covid started.

Despite redundancies hitting a record high for the country, the employment rate in the south east for people between 16-64 is at 78.6 per cent which is the highest employment rate of all regions in the UK.

A spokesperson for the Jobcentre said, “Throughout the pandemic our Jobcentres have remained open to support customers that need it most.

“We offer a digital intervention service where appropriate, and continue to help vulnerable people face-to-face if they are unable to access our services in any other way.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Theresa Coffey, the Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions, said Jobcentres are opening on Saturdays now too in order to support people back into employment.

Ms Coffey said the Kickstart scheme has been created to help get young people onto the job ladder by giving them experience needed through new job placements being created.

She said, “Vacancies have been created with employers large and small and across a range of sectors, including construction, digital and technology, logistics and manufacturing.

“Processing of applications is now proceeding at pace and we hope to see many more of our young claimants starting placements early in the New Year.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The government plans also include Restart – a long-term unemployment programme starting in summer 2021.

The Plans for Jobs scheme from the government is ‘the most ambitious programme ever undertaken’ according to Ms Coffey.

Mims Davies, the Minister of Employment, said, “Our Plan for Jobs is already helping people of all ages into work right across the UK, with increased Jobcentre support, new retraining schemes, job placements and more.”

Anyone wanting any support can go into the Eastbourne Jobcentre at St Anne’s House or call 0800 169 0190.

Related topics: