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THE Covid-19 lockdown has hit men in Renfrewshire hardest, according to latest figures on those claiming Universal Credit (UC).

Thousands more residents are now claiming benefits as the economy shut down in March, with the total registered at Johnstone Jobcentre up by 52 per cent.

But the numbers on UC have gone up more for men than women. While female claimants are up by 41 per cent, the figure for men is 65 per cent.

And the situation in Renfrew is even more stark. Claimants there have jumped by 61 per cent, with a 49 per cent increase for women and a 73 per cent rise for men.

Johnstone now has 3,265 people on UC, compared to 2,080 in February, while Renfrew has 2,222 people as of April 9, compared to 1,344 in February.

Across Johnstone, Renfrew and Paisley Jobcentres, there are now nearly 4,000 more people claiming the benefit than before the pandemic.

Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, which includes Renfrewshire, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic is a health emergency but also an economic one.

“The latest Universal Credit figures for jobcentres across the region are stark and show what we are dealing with in terms of ensuring vital support reaches people in the quickest possible timeframe.

“While this virus is not discriminatory in who it can effect, it does appear that the initial effects are greater on men in the region who require Universal Credit.

“There has been a mountain of support made available to individuals and businesses by the UK Government, Scottish Government and local authorities but we need to restart the economy safely as soon as possible.”

Active Communities chief Susan McDonald told The Gazette that agencies are particularly focused on mental health, recognising the increased pressures on men.

She said: “We have a working group set up about social isolation and loneliness and men are a real target group.

“We are going to be looking at wellbeing packs to help people be more physically active and help them deal with anxiety.

“We’re also looking at how we engage with people not known to us at the moment. People are really missing face-to-face contact and a lot of them who have not struggled with their mental health before are not understanding how they’re feeling at the moment.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond