West Norfolk unemployment benefit claims soar to highest level since 1994, new data says

Unemployment benefit claims in West Norfolk have more than doubled during the coronavirus lockdown, new figures suggest.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), published this morning, shows that 4,725 people in the borough were out of work and claiming benefits in May. The equivalent figure for March was 2,040.

And, although the proportion of claimants as a percentage of the workforce is lower than the national average, the number of monthly claims is higher now than at any time since May 1994.

The publication of the figures comes just a day after many non-essential retailers opened their doors to shoppers for the first time in nearly three months.

Some independent traders here have expressed optimism for a swift recovery in trade.

However, some economic analysts are worried that many consumers will be put off returning to the high street because of their concerns about the virus.

The ONS figures show that 5.5 per cent of the borough's workforce is currently claiming unemployment benefits, below both the regional average of 5.7 per cent and the national average of 6.5 per cent.

Neighbouring districts have also seen significant rises in unemployment claims, though their totals are lower.

A further 785 claims were recorded in Breckland in May, taking the total to 3,875, the highest since February 1994.

In North Norfolk, an additional 505 claims were recorded last month, meaning the overall total now stands at 2,825.

And in South Holland, which includes Sutton Bridge, a total of 2,860 claims were recorded in May, the highest level since records began in 1992.

Across Norfolk as a whole, a further 6,030 claims were recorded in May, taking the overall total to 29,320.

The figure equates to 5.5 per cent of the total workforce and is the highest since February 1996.