2,935 more Bath and North East Somerset people are out of work since lockdown began, according to new figures released.

There are now 5,080 people in the district aged between 16 and 64 claiming unemployment related benefits. The news came as national labour market stats showed the number of people reporting they had been made redundant rose to a record high of 370,000 in the three months to October.

Dan Norris, Labour candidate for the next Metro Mayor, said: “Not only are these worrying figures, but we must remember that behind every number is a struggling family, many will be facing Christmas with worry and uncertainty.

“I also believe that it is not a coincidence that redundancies escalated to record levels whilst the clock was ticking down to the end of the furlough first planned by the Chancellor before his last minute U-turn. I hope he has learnt from this and call on him for clarity right now ahead of the next furlough cliff edge in January.”