North and West Sutherland records second largest increase in Universal Credit uptake during lockdown By Caroline McMorran Published: 17:00, 17 February 2021 Get the Northern Times sent to your inbox every week and swipe through an exact replica of the day's newspaper New figures have highlighted the devastating financial impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on Sutherland communities. Universal Credit statistics, published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), reveal there was a 75 per cent increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants throughout the Highlands when comparing take-up at March 2020 with the position in December of the same year. While the number of claimants increased significantly in all areas of the region, the report reveals 49 out of 56 areas in Highland increased by 50 per cent or more.