THE number of people claiming benefits in West Berkshire more than doubled in one year.

West Berkshire Council says the number of claimants has “increased hugely” because of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and it is particularly concerned about people under the age of 25.

The latest figures show 1,535 people in the district claimed Universal Credit or Jobseekers Allowance between January and March in 2020 and that number increased significantly over the next six months.

Between July and September, 4,010 people in West Berkshire claimed those benefits.

That’s up from 1,345 claims made during the same three-month period in 2019, which means there has been a 198 per cent increase.

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Around one in five (795) of those 4,010 claimants were between the ages of 16 and 25.

In a report, the council states that many businesses in West Berkshire have bounced back and there is “a degree of stability at overall”.

But it also says the economic impact is “more significant” for certain groups, such as people under the age of 25.

The report adds: “The number of people aged 18-24 claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance has doubled in the UK in the last three months.

“The council and the Newbury West Berkshire Economic Development Company launched a service to help local employers to sign up to the Government’s Kickstart Scheme on September 2.

“It provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

“In addition, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) statistics show that in West Berkshire 28 per cent (22,600) of the eligible employees have been furloughed by the end of July 2020.

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“As the number of claimants rise, to support children in poverty the government has provided £400 million for a winter grant scheme, which will be distributed by councils and provide financial support to those in need.

“The holiday food and activities programme will also be expanded and there is further funding for food banks, nationally.”