Leeds cannot afford to let social divide widen as number claiming benefits doubles - the YEP says

Inevitably this has left many businesses scratching their heads about what happens next when it comes to their employees’ futures.

Many have lost their jobs while others are walking a financial tightrope.

Stark figures show the number of people in Leeds claiming Universal Credit has doubled to more than 70,000 since March with warnings that figure is set to rise.

Meanwhile, the Leeds-based StepChange debt charity warns that nationally an estimated 1.2 million people affected by the pandemic are in severe problem debt.

It also said since March, 25 to 34-year-olds have been most at risk of falling behind on essential bills and borrowing.

We’re still counting the cost of Covid-19 and it’s clear that the worst is yet to come as we struggle through Christmas.

We can’t afford to let the social divide widen and we need a clear plan from the Government to ensure the economy can recover from this blow.

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