Jobless benefits claims increase

THE number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Halton increased in January, according to latest Office For National Statistics (ONS) figures.

The number was also up year-on-year, from 2,195 to 2,415, but the Department Of Work And Pensions (DWP) said this was due to the switch to Universal Credit (UC) and the way benefits recipients were counted.

But the figures indicate a month-onmonth rise because the transfer to UC had already taken place in time for the publication of December’s statistics.

In January, there were 2,415 residents receiving out-of-work benefits, up from 2,305 the previous month.

There was good news for 18 to 24-year-olds, with the number of claimants falling 11% to 500 in January from 560 the same time last year, meaning that the drop was substantial enough to produce an overall downward trend, despite the effect of switching to UC.

Clive Morris, of Jobcentre Plus, said the 18-24 claimant count in Halton had plunged by a ‘huge’ 67% since 2010.

He added that the hottest sectors for recruitment in the borough at present are in retail, hospitality, construction and some in manufacturing.

The DWP reported record employment levels nationally, with unemployment at 4.8%, the lowest rate in 11 years and 38.4 million people in employment.

Damian Green, Work And Pensions Secretary, said: “With employment at its highest rate since records began, and unemployment at its lowest in over a decade, we remain in a position of strength.

“Our ongoing welfare reforms will continue to incentivise work and make sure the system is fair to all those who need it and those who pay for it.

“It’s good news in the North West, where the number of women in work has risen by 60,000 over the past year to record high of 1.65 million.”