New figures reveal 'eye-watering' financial impact of Covid-19 on Highlands amid unprecedented increase in Universal Credit take-up; Ross and Cromarty area witnesses surge in benefit claims as 'sobering' figures show numbers hit by joblessness since health pandemic
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New figures have highlighted the devastating financial impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on residents, communities and businesses in the Highlands.
Universal Credit statistics, published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), reveal there was almost a 75 per cent increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants throughout the Highlands when comparing take-up at March 2020 with the position in December 2020.
While the number of claimants increased significantly in all areas of the region, the report reveals 49 out of the 56 areas in Highland increased by 50 per cent or more.
In addition, 19 areas have experienced increased staggering take-up levels in excess of 100 per cent.
The largest increase is in Skye North West with an increase of 185 per cent.
Skye North East, Ross and Cromarty South West, Skye South, Lochaber West, Ross and Cromarty North West and Sutherland North and West experienced similar increases, ranging from 134 per cent to 153 per cent.
Universal Credit was first introduced by DWP to Inverness Jobcentre in 2013.
It has since been rolled out to all Highland Jobcentres and can be claimed by those who are unemployed or to provide top-up amounts for those on low incomes.
The figures illustrate 8500 individuals in the Highlands faced unemployment or a reduction in earnings during December 2020.
Highland Council's depute leader, and chairman of the recovery board, Councillor Alasdair Christie, said: "These figures paint a very sobering picture and quite clearly illustrate the catastrophic impact that the pandemic is having within Highland communities, which of course impacts local spend and therefore our local businesses.
"This scale of increase in the take-up of Universal Credit simply hasn’t been seen before and demonstrates just how severe the financial situation is for many Highland residents."
He continued: "The fact that more than a third of the 56 geographical areas within Highland are experiencing such eye-watering increases of more than 100 per cent in the number of Universal Credit claimants, is a real cause for concern and underlines the disproportionate financial impact of Covid-19 for an increasing number of our citizens.
"The council’s welfare support team and Citizens Advice are supporting an increasing number of households to claim all the financial support that is available to them, including the local scheme recently launched by the council to reduce fuel bills.
"No-one should suffer in silence."
He advised people to contact the council’s welfare support Team on 0800 090 1004, or local Citizens Advice bureaux, to access the expert advice and support available.
