THE number of people claiming Universal Credit on the Isle of Wight has doubled since the start of the pandemic.

The Isle of Wight branch of Citizens Advice is urging government against a 'devastating' Universal Credit cut.

The local charity said 57 per cent of people seeking its advice on benefits have never needed its support before, and the number of people claiming Universal Credit on the Island has risen 99 per cent since the pandemic began. This compares to a rise of 93 per cent nationally.

A scheduled cut to Universal Credit, scheduled for April, would have a 'devastating impact' on the Island, the charity warned.

Staff and volunteers at Citizens Advice Isle of Wight have helped 682 people with Universal Credit since March last year.

Advisers say many needing support from the benefits system have lost their job or suffered a drop in income as a result of the pandemic.

The charity has continued to provide one-to-one support and warns that local families could be pushed into further hardship if the £20 a week uplift ends as planned.

Clive Bolland, local Help to Claim Adviser, said: "The £20 uplift has been a lifeline for people trying to survive on Universal Credit during a pandemic and the possibility of losing this uplift is bound to have a negative effect, not only on their financial situation but also on their mental wellbeing.”

Chief officer Paul Savill said: “We support people every day whose lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic.

"For many of them, Universal Credit is the lifeline that has helped pay the bills and put food on the table.

“But households across the Island now face the devastating prospect of a £20 a week cut to their benefits in just a few short months.

“With a tough outlook in the jobs market, we’re urging the government to continue doing the right thing and maintain the Universal Credit uplift.

"The uplift is worth £11 million to local businesses in the income that Islanders on Universal credit spend.”

Citizens Advice Isle of Wight is currently open through its Adviceline service from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Islanders can call us on the freephone number 0800 144 8848.