Four thousand more people claiming benefits in Barnsley since pandemic began
Councillors will discuss ways to reduce poverty in the town today
We can reveal four thousand extra people are now on benefits in Barnsley compared to the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The council tells us it's really worried about the effect of job losses on the town, which is already one of the most deprived in the country.
It comes as a program's being discussed at a council meeting today to try and tackle poverty.
Leader of the council Steve Houghton tells us it's worrying more and more people are being forced into the benefits system:
"That clearly means they've got problems. And obviously we're really worried about further unemployment that might come down the track.
"There is no doubt in our mind that the coronavirus pandemic, with its impact on jobs and its impact on simple things such as foodbanks, is going to be a significant challenge for some families and how they're going to manage to survive some of the difficulties the pandemic causes."
A report from the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee has come up with a number of recommendations to tackle the problem, like finding out more about the types of people affected at a local level, pushing for more local jobs and improving public transport.
Cllr Houghton says employment is key:
"The first thing is we want people in work and in jobs. So it's making getting into work as easy as possible. It's making the agencies in Barnsley like the council, the health service, the college, look at their employment strategies so that where there are jobs in Barnsley, Barnsley people can get at those jobs.
"It's about, in the short term, having money to help people with those immediate financial challenges, whether that's paying the rent, paying the council tax, even getting a school uniform when the kids go back to school next month. So the council has a £620,000 fund that we're using to help the families in most need."
The council says improving the situation in Barnsley needs to be a "community and partnership response", developing the economy in Barnsley to benefit all.
Cllr Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesperson for Adults and Communities, said;
“This work is key to help us understand the issues around poverty in Barnsley and make some clear steps forward to help people across our borough; especially at this time, as many people are feeling the effects of Coronavirus.
"It will require a whole council and partnership approach to make sure we continue to help residents and their families.”