Number of new universal credit claims drops below 100,000 per week for the first time since coronavirus lockdown started

However, current claim rate still lies around 20 per cent higher than pre-COVID rate

The number of new universal credit claims has dropped below 100,000 per week for the first time since the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown started, according to the latest management information from the DWP.

In Universal Credit management information tables: 1 March to 2 June 2020, the DWP highlights that, in the week commencing 25 May 2020, there were 96,510 individual declarations for universal credit - the lowest weekly number since the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown came into effect on 16 March 2020 (see table below) - 

NB - the DWP advises that a 'declaration' is made where an individual or household provides information on their personal circumstances to begin a universal credit claim - not all declarations will go on to receive a payment.

In addition, the figures show that, between 16 March 2020 and 2 June 2020, a total of 945,500 advance payments were awarded on new claims.

Universal Credit management information tables: 1 March to 2 June 2020 is available from gov.uk