A report to councillors reveals that Maldon has the second highest furlough rate in Essex and that Universal Credit claimants in the district increased threefold between March and August.

Around 9,500 people have been furloughed in Maldon, equal to 34 per cent of those considered eligible, while the number of Universal Credit claimants rose to 1,980.

Maldon Citizens Advice (MCA) reveals the figures in a report submitted for Maldon District Council's Strategy and Resources Committee meeting this evening (Thursday, 19 November). The report has been produced as part of MCA's proposal for a renewed three-year contract with the council for provision of its services to local people.

The report continues:

"Over the next three years in Maldon we therefore expect that:

• The ending of the furlough scheme will translate directly into higher levels of longer term unemployment in the district.

• The ending of controls on debt recovery and homelessness will result in more people living in or on the brink of poverty.

• The rise in unemployment and debt will cause an increase in mental health and domestic issues requiring advice from MCA."

The proposal concludes that "the current economic conditions and associated increased levels of demand are expected to persist for at least the next three years."

The MCA points out that the contract would allow the organisation to plan and manage resources more strategically to enable efficient service delivery across the district and meet the National Lottery funding expectation of having already secured funding for its core work.

Council officers lay out the various options for renewal of the contract in a separate report to the committee.

Councillors are set to decide on the funding level and length of the MCA contract at the meeting.