Further evidence that coronavirus is hitting jobs in Wales

Newly released DWP data points to huge rise in unemployment in Wales

Following the publication of the latest labour market data on Tuesday morning by the ONS it was already apparent that the economic impact of coronavirus was hitting jobs hard in Wales. The data showed that there were approximately 20,000 fewer people in work in March 2020 compared with March 2019, with the claimant count (for out of work benefits) being nearly two times higher in April 2020 compared with April 2019 at 6.8%.

New data obtained by the Welsh Affairs Committee from DWP demonstrate that the ONS’ data release on Tuesday may only be the tip of the iceberg. The data shows that the number of new, individual claimants for Universal Credit stand at a staggering 122,160 between the 1st of March and the 12th of April.

Not only does the data paint a grim picture about the impact that coronavirus has already had on jobs in Wales it also suggests that there is still scope for things to deteriorate further. Whilst the highest recorded number of new applications made on a single day stands at 4,150 back on the 2nd of April, over 1,000 new applications were still being recorded on the 11th and 12th of May.

The Bevan Foundation will continue to monitor all the latest data to keep its supporters abreast of all developments, with the team working hard to explore what is next for the Welsh economy.