THE number of people claiming Universal Credit rose by nearly 6,000 in just one month.

More than 19,000 Brighton and Hove residents are now claiming the benefit as of the beginning of April, the Department for Work and Pensions said.

That is 45 per cent more than were on Universal Credit at the beginning of March in the city.

Steve Benwell of Brighton Jobcentre said it is likely the number will increase further in the near future.

“Volumes of new claims are still higher than normal and the overall claimant count is still expected to grow for a while yet,” he said.

"To ensure we’ve been able to pay almost 6,000 new claimants in April alone, we’ve pulled in people from other government departments and even other parts of the country to help support this effort.

“We are also sensitive to the possibility of a ‘second wave’ of new claims as companies find that they cannot sustain their business as the economic lockdown continues and have to make longer-term decisions.”

The Argus: Brighton Jobcentre's Steve Benwell said he expects the number of Universal Credit claimants to remain high for the coming monthsBrighton Jobcentre's Steve Benwell said he expects the number of Universal Credit claimants to remain high for the coming months

Mr Benwell said he did not know how many of those having to claim Universal Credit will be able to find a job in the coming months.

“There are large numbers of self-employed people claiming, for example, and it will be very interesting to see how many of them are able to pick up their business again as the economy is allowed to restart,” he said.

“Similarly, with sectors such as tourism and hospitality, which are key sectors in Brighton, we don’t really know what the longer term impact of missing out on the peak business seasons will be. I think it will be several months yet before we see how many of those who have had to make a claim will be able to go back to work.”

But it is the furlough scheme which has been crucial in protecting jobs, Mr Benwell said.

“It is good news that the scheme has been extended,” he said. “If that were to change, then that could potentially have a big impact on the numbers then making claims.”

The Argus: Mr Russell-Moyle said the Government needs to introduce a more generous benefits system to prevent people 'falling through the gaps'Mr Russell-Moyle said the Government needs to introduce a more generous benefits system to prevent people 'falling through the gaps'

But Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle said a more generous system of benefits is needed as food bank use has risen in the city.

Whitehawk Foodbank alone reported a 400 per cent increase in April since the pandemic began.

“Instead of proposing a universal basic income the Government has put in place a system of patchwork benefits where people are falling through the gaps,” Mr Russell-Moyle said.

“The Government has only granted an extra £20 a week for Universal Credit claimants. Australia is giving them an extra £90 a week.

"Our benefits system is one of the least generous in Europe.

"The Government needs to give more help to the self-employed, support for the tourism industry, and they need to ensure no renter is in debt at the end of this."

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set u p to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund