The number of Islanders out of work, and claiming government support in June 2020 was 5,325 - more than double the number in Jun 2019 and four times the number in June 2018.

According to a data published by the Office for National Statistics - which tracks the number of people who are being paid Universal Credit -  there was a sharp rise in claimant numbers in April on the Isle of Wight, the month after the coronavirus lockdown.

However, around 200 fewer Islanders were claiming the benefit in June 2020, compared to May.

The trend was echoed across the south east of England and Great Britain.

However the Isle of Wight's numbers are higher than in the two comparative areas.

Meanwhile, the government Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was launched on April 25 and closed to new admissions at the end of June.

In June, according the government figures, just under 29 per cent of employees in the South East were furloughed.