Claimants for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in Kirklees rose by 74% during the lockdown introduced by the government in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
1,840 people in the Kirklees applied for JSA between February and May according to research by financial service Wagestream.
Every local authority in England saw a rise in JSA applications since the lockdown in March as businesses had to close and cease trading due to social distancing measures.
Data was collected for every local authority in the UK by the workplace financial service, who have helped over 300,000 workers to reduce financial pressures on workers.
Peter Briffett, CEO and Co-Founder of Wagestream, said: “We’ve all heard the warnings that the coronavirus pandemic threatens to tip the country into a once-in-a-century recession but it’s clear that financial stress has already started accelerating dramatically in some areas.
“The jump in JSA claims since before the UK shut down is staggering, but so is the variation in how different places are faring.
“The entertainment, leisure and retail industries have been hardest hit by the quarantine measures, with many businesses rendered virtually inactive over the past couple of months.
“The impact of this is going to fall disproportionately on those on low incomes and, with these types of businesses beginning to reopen as we head into July, the next month is going to be hotly watched for signs of how well households and the wider economy are going to be able to bounce back.”
Wagestream’s financial services support employees to manage their wages and provide help for people to budget save and stream their earnings.
