Some 1.6million benefit claims have now been made since coronavirus began devastating the UK, the Tory welfare chief said today.
Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said 1.4million claims for Universal Credit have now been made since the middle of March - around 7 times the usual average.
On top of that, she said, there have been 200,000 claims for 'legacy' benefits Jobseekers' Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
Just 360,000 of the Universal Credit claimants have already received cash since March 16, after applying for an advance. Others are waiting for money to arrive because there is a five-week standard wait for first payment.
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