Nearly a million Brits try to claim Universal Credit in past two weeks as coronavirus hammers economy

NEARLY a million Brits tried to claim benefits in the past fortnight — as Covid-19 took a wrecking ball to the economy.

Some 880,000 applied for Universal Credit — up from around 100,000 in a normal two-week period.

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The massive surge in ex-workers signing on for support has left some facing six-hour waits on the phone.

Universal Credit combines six welfare payments, including jobseeker’s allowance, housing benefit and income support.

It gives an indication of the devastation the virus is already having on the economy.

Labour MP Stephen Timms, chairman of the work and pensions committee, said: “These are enormous figures. There are going to be a lot of people who will struggle to get the bare essentials in the next few weeks unless they are on Universal Credit. It is really, really important.”

Mr Timms said the influx will pile pressure on the welfare system, but it is coping.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s self-employed bailout may ease matters in the coming weeks, he said.

Just under three million were on Universal Credit before the coronavirus crisis erupted here in late February.

A Department for Work and Pensions source said: “These are unprecedented times and we are taking extraordinary action to provide much-needed help and support to those affected.

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