More than 14,000 sign up for Universal Credit during coronavirus pandemic
More than 14,000 people in Lincolnshire impacted by the coronavirus crisis have claimed for Universal Credit since the pandemic began.
The latest job centre figures have been released by the Department for Work and Pensions and show how COVID-19 has seen a big increase on the number of claimants.
Universal Credit covers six major benefits and the figures cover those both in and out of work, including self-employed and those who have been furloughed.
Employment advisor at Boston Job Centre Stuart Roberts said support was out there for people who were going through difficult times including help with claims, looking for extra work or even extra training.
Another one! Month-long lockdown begins Thursday, November 5
Four weeks shutdown incoming
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second month-long lockdown due to COVID-19.
England will go into a second national lockdown, for a month from Thursday, November 5 to Wednesday, December 2
Non essential shops, leisure and entertainment will close.
Pubs, bars and restaurants must close, except for takeaway and collections.
Workplaces can stay open if work cannot be done from home.
Schools, universities and education settings will remain open.
The furlough system will be extended until December.
The Prime Minister said that tough action now should hope families get together by Christmas, but not as before.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust HQ.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust debts totalling £342 million are set to be written off under government plans, it has been revealed.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Thursday that he was writing off £13.4 billion of historic NHS debt across the nation in a bid to help trusts financially as they look to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Bosses at ULHT, which runs hospitals in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham, today revealed the trust’s £342 milllion of historic loans will be converted to Public Dividend Capital.
It is hoped the move will save £2.5 million for the trust in 2020/21, which bosses say will help it “return to a long-term financially sustainable position.”
North Lincolnshire threatened with local lockdown as cases triple
North Lincolnshire residents are being threatened with a local lockdown if they don’t follow social distancing rules after a sharp rise in cases recently.
Some 22.1 cases per 100,000 people have been in the area over the most recent seven day period three times as many as the previous week.
According to the latest government figures, North Lincolnshire has had 830 cases in total so far, and 89 residents have died after contracting COVID-19.
Penny Spring, director of public health at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We’re on the cusp in North Lincolnshire – we’re not in dire straits yet but we’re probably as close as being so as we have been since early March.
More than £80m handed to local businesses during coronavirus pandemic
Photo: stock
More than £80 million has been given to nearly 6,800 businesses across Lincolnshire to help support the local economy against the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.
Lincolnshire’s district councils have been given £192,109,000 by government to support local businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The money was part of a swathe of measures announced by government covering loans, small business grants and grants covering the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.
Today, authorities revealed they had given at least £79,370,000 to 6,768 businesses.
South Holland had not responded at time of publication but had issued £2,460,000 to 231 businesses on April 3.