Number of West Yorkshire residents claiming jobless benefits rises by 87% since beginning of first lockdown

The number of West Yorkshire residents claiming jobless benefits has risen by 87% since the beginning of the first lockdown, new data has revealed.

According to new information released by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the figure has risen from 57,100 to almost 107,000 by the end of October 2020.

The report said around 4,900 businesses went into liquidation in September and October, with the transport and storage, wholesale and retail, professional services, and information and communications sectors particularly affected.

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Economic forecasting undertaken by the Combined Authority found that in a worst-case scenario, West Yorkshire could see up to 58,000 jobs lost in the next year leading to an unemployment rate of 14% and £12 billion wiped off the value of the regional economy.

“COVID-19 continues to have a devastating impact on West Yorkshire, with unemployment almost doubling since March and many thousands of businesses closing their doors over the past few months. The effects of this virus will be felt for many years to come."“COVID-19 continues to have a devastating impact on West Yorkshire, with unemployment almost doubling since March and many thousands of businesses closing their doors over the past few months. The effects of this virus will be felt for many years to come."
“COVID-19 continues to have a devastating impact on West Yorkshire, with unemployment almost doubling since March and many thousands of businesses closing their doors over the past few months. The effects of this virus will be felt for many years to come."

The West Yorkshire Economic Recovery Board reiterated its call for the government to back the £2 billion draft Economic and Transport Recovery Plans in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, which is expected to be announced later this month.

The proposals set out ambitious plans to tackle immediate issues including supporting the transport network through local lockdown measures, as well as longer term strategies to address decades of under-investment in the region and deliver an inclusive, zero carbon recovery.

The draft Economic Recovery Plan includes specific investment propositions around health innovation, the region’s transition to a net zero carbon economy as it takes steps to tackle the climate emergency, and support entrepreneurship.

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The West Yorkshire Transport Recovery Plan calls for an innovative, low carbon Mass Transit System for West Yorkshire; an integrated rail plan for the North and Midlands, including HS2 East and Northern Powerhouse Rail with a stop serving Bradford City Centre; and short- and long-term funding for the region’s bus network as well as support for integrated ticketing and information services for passengers in our region.

The Economic Recovery Board is working closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partner Councils to understand the implications of the further assistance for jobs and business once the national lockdown comes to an end, including the extension of the furlough scheme to the end of March 2021.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said: “COVID-19 continues to have a devastating impact on West Yorkshire, with unemployment almost doubling since March and many thousands of businesses closing their doors over the past few months. The effects of this virus will be felt for many years to come.

“Looking ahead, we are working to make sure businesses and people get the support they need to get through what will be a difficult winter.”

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Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11 group of Northern LEPs, said: “We are doing everything we can to support our region’s businesses, protect livelihoods and beat this virus. We have been clear that strengthening the health measures to keep people safe from the effects of COVID-19 must not do further damage to the economy, jobs and the future prosperity of our region.

“With the right national support both now and in the months and years ahead, we will be able to build a more positive future that works for everyone. That’s why we’re calling on the government to commit to support our West Yorkshire Economic and Transport Recovery Plans.”

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