Why would a popular Ormskirk postie be concerned about local unemployment figures?

Because Julie Gibson is not your average postie - that's why!

She's also the County Council's shadow cabinet member for Economic Regeneration - and is understandably concerned about the announcement of a rise in UK unemployment and called on the Government to work with partners to mitigate the worst effects.

County Cllr. Gibson was responding to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics, which show that in April 2020 the unemployment rate stood at 3.9% while the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the UK increased to reach almost 2.1 million; the highest since records began.

She said: “While we can see what is happening nationally, the figures locally are also worrying. The claimant count in West Lancashire has traditionally levelled out between 1.3 – 3.7 %, the latter figure dating back to January 2013.

“But as of April 2020 it stands at 4.9%, or 2,950 claimants. In the previous month it was 2.7%.(1,630 claimants) and we have seen an increase of over 1,000 claimants locally.

“Sadly, unemployment is expected to steadily increase in the coming months with the winding down of emergency support from August. The furlough scheme has provided a lifeline for many workers, and many more will be forced to rely on support from the welfare benefits system.”

She backed calls from trade unions and partners in the advice sector to end the five-week wait period for Universal Credit by replacing it with emergency grants so claimants don’t build up debts waiting for payment.

She added: “The five-week wait period is particularly harsh and I have supported calls from those in the advice sector who have been campaigning to scrap this. But now is surely the time for it be reviewed so that we can ensure people do not fall further into poverty at a time when we could be facing a major recession.”