UNEMPLOYMENT in Glasgow has rocketed to the highest level in more than 20 years as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

Official statistics show that for April, the claimant count for out-of-work benefits jumped massively, by more than 10,000 in one month.

For April, the count was 31,600, compared to 20,295 in March, when the lockdown began.

The increase from a year ago is even higher – almost double, from 16,010 in April 2019.

The last time the out-of-work benefit claimant count for Glasgow was higher was as far back as January 1997, when John Major was Prime Minister, the Scottish Parliament did not exist and Princess Diana was still alive.

Advisors have reported a huge demand for help with applying for benefits such as Universal

Credit.

Citizens Advice Scotland said in Glasgow they dealt with more than 3000 cases in March and April.

And Glasgow’s biggest social housing landlord, Wheatley Group, has helped more than 3000 tenants with benefit claims since the lockdown started.

The Citizens Advice bureaux in Glasgow gave out 3341 pieces of advice – which its team worked out as a financial gain figure of £438,745 in March, which in April jumped to £626,633.

Wheatley, which includes Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), said its advisors helped with 3250 cases of Universal Credit in the past seven weeks.

The team has used technology such as FaceTime calls with customers and conference calls with Department for Work and Pensions benefits staff to progress claims and get people the cash they are entitled to.

Translators have also been used for customers whose first language is not English.

Angela, from Knightswood in Glasgow, needed help when her husband had to move into a care home.

She said: “Without my advisor Donna, I wouldn’t have known what to do.

“She messaged me on WhatsApp, explained everything I was entitled to, helped me fill in the forms – all while she was working from home.

“You feel alone when you don’t know how to deal with things, but Donna was really there for me. She was brilliant. I’m totally grateful.”

Olga Clayton, Wheatley’s group director of housing and care, said: “We’re doing all we can to support our most vulnerable customers during these very difficult times.

“Our advisors are fully equipped to work from home to support customers, particularly with Universal Credit claims.

“We’ve seen an increase in the number of customers needing our support – many of whom have never claimed benefits before.”