THE number of Cheshire East and West residents claiming unemployment benefits has more than doubled since before lockdown, according to new figures.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that across Cheshire East – including Middlewich, Knutsford and Wilmslow – 10,985 people were claiming out-of-work benefits as of May 14 compared to 4,680 in early March.

That means 4.9 per cent of the borough’s population has now signed on, compared to 2.1 per cent before lockdown.

Meanwhile in Cheshire West – including Northwich and Winsford – 11,675 people were claiming out-of-work benefits as of May 14 compared to 5,380 in early March.

It means 5.7 per cent of the borough’s population has now signed on, compared to 2.6 per cent before lockdown.

In total across the two boroughs, 22,660 people have now signed on, compared to 10,060 in early March – an increase of more than double.

The ONS figures count those aged 16 to 64 who are on Jobseekers Allowance and some Universal Credit claimants, with numbers rounded to the nearest five.

Across the UK, the claimant count more than doubled to 2.7 million on May 14, with separate ONS figures showing the figure stood at 2.8 million for the whole month – the highest since 1993.

However, the ONS says changes to Universal Credit in response to coronavirus mean more people could get unemployment-related benefits while still being employed, which could affect the figures.

Dave Innes, head of economics at anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, says the Government should ‘boost benefits so that people are not pulled into poverty if they lose their jobs’ following the pandemic.

Foodbanks in Cheshire told the Guardian last month they expect another rise in demand if companies lay off workers when Government grants come to an end.

Nathan Pardoe, from Mid Cheshire Foodbank, said: “The worry is that we will start to see a massive spike because people will be facing new pressures that they have not had.

“We are expecting more demand. It is the calm before the storm. The economic impact of coronavirus is enormous.”

Rachel Pendleton, from Middlewich and District Foodbank, added: “In October, when the furlough scheme runs out, I think there will be mass redundancies.

“Although I think things will quieten down in the short-term, as children return to school, as soon as businesses have problems I think people might start struggling again.”