Unemployment figures reveal impact of lockdown in Hartlepool - with fears full severity is still to be seen

File picture from PA as unemployment benefit claims rise in Hartlepool

New figures released today show that by May 14, the number of people in Hartlepool claiming out-of-work benefits had risen to 5,390, which is 9.4% of the working age population.

This is above the national average of 6.5% and the North East average of 7.5%, according to the figures provided by a service for the Office for National Statistics.

The percentage of working age claimants in Hartlepool is the third highest in the North East, with Middlesbrough having the highest at 10.1%, followed by South Tyneside with 9.5%.

In comparison in March the number of claimants in Hartlepool for out-of-work benefits, such as Universal Credit, was 3,465, just 6% of the working age population.

It’s also an increase on the figure from April, which stated there were 4,940 claimants, 8.6% of those aged 16-64 in the area.

The figures for May also show a rise of more than 1,500 claimants compared to the same period last year, when there were 3,750 in Hartlepool claiming Universal Credit or similar out-of-work benefits.

There were also further unemployment figures released today covering the quarter from February to April this year, and economists warned the full impact of Covid-19 may not be felt until the end of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which allows staff to be furloughed.

In the North East overall, unemployment stands at 68,000 or 5.2% – a fall of 14,000 over the quarter and 7,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 3.9% nationally.

Employment in the region stands at 1,245,000 or 73.9% – an increase of 36,000 over the quarter and 45,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 76.4% nationally.

Jonathan Walker, assistant director of policy at the North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “The headline labour force statistics show that the regional economy was still in job-creation mode right up to point when Covid-19 hit.

“These numbers do not yet fully show how severe the impact of the current crisis has been on our labour market.

“Government support such as the furlough scheme has helped to stave off many major job losses for the time being, but the fact that May’s claimant count is 77% higher than this time last year shows the scale of the challenge we are likely to face.

“The North East continues to have the highest unemployment rate in the country. We know this crisis and any recession will be felt more strongly in regions such as ours.

“The promise of levelling up that brought the Government to power must be honoured in any economic recovery plans.”

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