BENEFITS and jobs have been the most common concerns for Oxfordshire residents since the lockdown, a charity has said.

Citizens Advice has helped 3,917 people across the county since the Covid-19 pandemic led to a UK-wide lockdown on March 23.

The charity has mobilised its staff and volunteers to give one-to-one advice over the phone and online.

The most common concern was benefits, representing 2,834 issues and 1,444 people.

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Employment was the second most common query, with 1,228 issues and 758 people.

This was followed by debt, with 687 issues and 307 people, and housing with 603 issues and 375 people.

The charity added that there had also been an increase in the number of people needing charitable support such as food banks or financial assistance.

Teresa Archer, chief officer of Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire, said: “We are all extremely proud of and grateful to our volunteers and staff who quickly rallied round to ensure no-one needs to face the financial challenges of Covid-19 alone.

“Over the past six weeks our teams have helped as many people as possible with problems such as applying for benefits for the first time, navigating the government’s job support schemes, and worries over how to manage the bills.

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“Citizens Advice was founded the day after World War Two was declared to support people at a time of national need.

“We are still here 80 years later to provide free, impartial, independent and confidential advice to anyone who needs it.

“So if you’re in need don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or drop us a message, our advisers are ready and waiting to help.”

Across the South East region there has also been a surge in demand for help from the Citizens Advice website with 114,700 people visiting it during the busiest week.

Ruth Stravis, Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire Adviceline volunteer, added: “We’ve seen an increase in the proportion of younger people calling us - the percentage of clients in their twenties has increased by 50 per cent compared with before the pandemic.

“People are asking us about accessing benefits including Universal Credit, and with problems managing financially, with many requests for referrals to food banks.

“As an Adviceline volunteer for Citizens Advice, I’m glad I can be doing something directly useful at this incredibly difficult time, given that so many people are struggling to navigate the changing situation and cope with the implications of the lockdown. I think the situation is going to exacerbate a lot of inequality and expose a lot of need, so I’m glad that Citizens Advice is here online and on the telephone to help people.”

Visit citizensadvice.org.uk for further information.