Less than 2% of borough residents claim Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance

Less than 2% of borough residents claim Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance, according to the latest statistics released on Wednesday (21 March).

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that 4,120 residents of the borough’s population claim the benefits – accounting for around 1.95% of local claimants.

Universal Credit is a single monthly payment which replaces the six current working age benefits: Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

The number of claimants has continued to drop locally, falling by 1% compared to this time last year.

Universal Credit is to be fully implemented locally in May 2018.