Record surge in UK jobless claims

Unemployment claims in the UK jumped by a record amount in April to their highest level since the 1990s, as the Covid-19 pandemic takes its toll on the economy despite government wage subsidies


UK UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT CLAIMS (millions)
2.0 
1.5
1.0
0.5
	2008 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

RECESSION

Feb 2009
Claims rise by 143,000 during worst month of 2008-09 financial crisis

Oct 2009
1.62 million claims (highest since May 1997)

Feb 2016
758,500 claims

Mar 2020
1.24 million claims

Apr 2020
Claims soar by 856,500 to 2.1 million – 69% rise is biggest monthly increase since records began in early 1970s

   
Sources: Associated Press, Office for National Statistics 
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