The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Hertfordshire rose by more than 1,800 between March and September, according to a council report.

Data presented to a meeting of the county council’s resources and performance cabinet panel on Wednesday (December 2), showed that in March the ‘unemployment count’ in the county was 36,960.

But by the end of September that figure had increased by 1815, to 38,775.

According to the report, the increase reflects the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic similar to national trends.

“Data for July, August and September 2020 shows another increase in Hertfordshire’s unemployed claimant count and clearly shows the continued effect that Covid-19 is having on the labour market,” says the report.

” There has also been a corresponding jump in data nationally.”

A further report to the same cabinet panel suggests that the number of ‘claimants’ had levelled off slightly in October – at 37,060.

And the figures suggest that unemployment levels are rising more quickly across Hertfordshire than in the rest of England.

Between October 2019 and October 2020, the number of claimants in England increased by 125.6 per cent – but in Hertfordshire the increase was 178.6 per cent.

According to the data, the number of claimants had more than tripled in Dacorum (207.2 per cent) and in East Herts (239.1 per cent) over the 12-month period.

But unemployment rates for residents aged 16 to 64 are highest in Broxbourne and in Watford – the only two of the Hertfordshire districts where the rate is above the England average of 6.3 per cent.

Across the county overall the claimant rate – as a proportion of residents aged 16-64 – is reported to be five per cent. But it varies between 3.9 per cent and 6.7 in different areas of the county.

As of October, it was reported to be 6.6 per cent in Broxbourne; 5.1 per cent in Dacorum; 3.9 per cent in East Hertfordshire; 5.7 per cent in Hertsmere; 4.4 per cent in North Hertfordshire; 4 per cent in St Albans; 5.9 per cent in Stevenage; 4.6 per cent in Three Rivers; 6.7 per cent in Watford; and 4.5 per cent in Welwyn Hatfield.

The increases in claimant counts across the county also vary.

Between October 2019 and October 2020, it is reported to be:

  • 185.1 per cent in Broxbourne
  • 207.2 per cent in Dacorum
  • 239.1 per cent in East Hertfordshire
  • 183.4 per cent in Hertsmere
  • 173.5 per cent in North Hertfordshire
  • 164.4 per cent in St Albans
  • 148.5 per cent in Stevenage
  • 191.7 per cent in Three Rivers
  • 160.8 per cent in Watford
  • 149.2 per cent in Welwyn Hatfield.