Shock as 87% more claim jobless benefits
THERE has been an 87% increase in the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits across Glasgow, according to newly released figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that around 36,000 Glaswegians were claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance as of December 2020 compared to around 19000 in December 2019.
Thousands of people across the city have lost jobs as a result of the pandemic.
Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar has called on the UK and Scottish Governments to “create jobs”.
He said: “There is a jobs emergency in Glasgow that needs urgently addressed.
“With the number of people in the city claiming out-ofwork benefits nearly doubling over the past year, there is no greater challenge than protecting people’s livelihoods and creating new jobs.
“I know from speaking to constituents just how worried many people are about their future.
“We need the Scottish and UK governments to put aside party politics and come together to protect and create jobs in Glasgow and right across Scotland, with a Covidrecovery parliament that prioritises workers.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic is a major economic crisis as well as a public health crisis, and these staggering figures show the impact it has had on jobs across the country.”
Liz Willis, the CEO of Parkhead’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), said: “In Glasgow, the eight CABs in the city have seen huge demand for advice around debt, benefits and housing issues as people really struggle to make ends meet.
“It’s important people realise that help is out there. A range of policies like furlough, Universal Credit and council tax reduction are in place to help people through this crisis.”