One thousand fresh claims for Universal Credit made in Tower Hamlets between September and October

The number of Universal Credit claimants in Tower Hamlets rose by 1000 between September and October.

This jump — seen in the month leading up to the original end date of the furlough scheme — is slighty greater than that recorded between August and September (962).

These latest figures from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) means there are currently 41,417 recipients of the benefit in Tower Hamlets.

The borough’s increase contributes to that seen across London during the same period, where a total of 24,004 fresh claims were made.

It also contributes to the 2.76 million people across the UK that, as of October 2020, are claiming universal credit and job seekers allowance.

This is up four per cent on the last quarter, and 118 pc when compared to this time last year, with the latter a clear sign of how coronavirus has impacted employment in the UK.