THE number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Maldon at the end of last year was well over double that seen at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics data reveal 1,800 people were claiming out-of-work benefits as of December 10, compared to just 685 in early March – an increase of 1,115.

That is 4.7 per cent of the area's working-age population, up from just 1.8 per cent.

The figures include those aged 16 to 64 on Jobseeker’s Allowance and some Universal Credit claimants who are unemployed and seeking work or employed but with low earnings.

In December 2019, there were 620 claimants in Maldon.

Those on benefits at the end of 2020 were among roughly 205,000 across the East of England.

National figures, which are adjusted to account for seasonal changes, show around 2.64 million people across the UK were seeking help at the start of December – up from 1.24 million in March and 1.23 million a year earlier.

The ONS warned that changes to Universal Credit in response to the virus mean more people can get the benefits while still being employed, which could affect the figures.

It also said a small number of people who can claim both JSA and UC could be counted twice.

Separate ONS figures show the country’s unemployment rate rose to an estimated five per cent in the three months to November – the highest it has been since early 2016.

More than 200,000 workers lost their jobs over the three months, as the number of unemployed hit a five-year high of 1.72 million.

“This crisis has gone on far longer than any of us hoped – and every job lost is a tragedy,” Chancellor Rishi Sunak said.

“Whilst the NHS is working hard to protect people with the vaccine, we’re throwing everything we’ve got at supporting businesses, individuals and families.”

But research published yesterday warns 2.5 million jobs are in jeopardy due to businesses at risk of going bust in the coming months.

A report by the Centre for Economic Performance and the Alliance for Full Employment says more than 900,000 firms could go bust as many support programmes end at the end of March and April.