The number of unemployed claimants in Dagenham and Rainham constituency in July 2020 was 6,445. This represents a rate of 9.2% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 6.3%.
There are 3,710 more claimants than in March 2020 before the UK lockdown began and 345 more claimants than June 2020.
Figures are not seasonally adjusted and are rounded to the nearest five. "Unemployed claimants" include people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or who are claiming Universal Credit and are required to seek work.
Long term trends
The unadjusted claimant count is currently not a good indicator of long- term trends in the number of people looking for work. It does however provide us with a measure of how the number of claimants has changed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The adjusted alternative claimant count is updated on a quarterly basis. They are currently available up to May 2020 and will be next updated in October 2020
The ongoing impact of coronavirus on Universal Credit
Under Universal Credit, a broader spectrum of people are required to look for work than under Jobseeker's Allowance. This has the effect of increasing the number of unemployed claimants. In addition to this, as part of the government's response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), a number of enhancements were introduced to Universal Credit. Consequently, whilst some of the increase in the unemployed claimant count will be due to people who have become unemployed, some will also be due to employed people who have become eligible for Universal Credit as part of the government response to Coronavirus.
Jon Cruddas MP commented: "the pandemic has had a significant impact on the numbers of Universal Credit claimants, and it is anticipated that as the furlough scheme comes to an end this number will rise again. Whilst many businesses have managed to stay afloat with government support, there will be those that inevitably do not return in October.
"Announcements this week have suggested we are facing the largest recession in a decade, and in the coming weeks and months I will be working with local authorities and different sectors to ensure that my constituents have the necessary support to get back on their feet."