Claimant Count figures

Summary

Since April 2015, the Claimant Count has included the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance plus those who claim Universal Credit and are required to seek work and be available for work. It is the headline indicator of the number of people claiming benefits principally for the reason of being unemployed. Claimant Count data are currently designated as 'official statistics in development'.

In April 2024, the revised proportion of persons aged 16-64 on the Claimant Count was 3.8% in the Lancashire-12 area. This was the same the United Kingdom proportion (3.8%). However, the proportions for the Lancashire-14 area (4.3%) and the North West region (4.2%) were above the UK figure.

Pendle (6.5%) had the seventh highest proportion in the UK (out of 374 local authority areas). Blackpool (6.3%), Burnley (6.2%), Hyndburn (5.9%) and Blackburn with Darwen (5.8%) were in the highest 10% of the UK rankings. Preston (4.8%) and Rossendale (4.1%) also had figures above the UK proportion.

Compared to April 2023, the Claimant Count has increased by 4.6% in Lancashire-12 and increased by 2.8% in Lancashire-14 (UK = +0.6%).

Recent trends

Following the peaks in Claimant Count numbers in 2020 and 2021, resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the pace of the reduction in Claimant Count numbers slowed over the summer and autumn of 2022. The usual uptick in Claimant Count numbers from the late autumn of 2022 to the early spring of 2023 was evident. The seasonal upturn in Claimant Count numbers usually reflects the reduction in tourism and festive employment that occurs over the autumn and winter months. This seasonal trend is particularly evident in Blackpool.

The usual autumn and winter seasonal upticks are again apparent in 2023/24 in many areas. However, Pendle, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Preston have seen notable sharp increases to their Claimant Count totals over the past few months. Pendle's proportion is now the highest in the Lancashire14 area. This may possibly reflect increased action to transfer people onto Universal Credit from legacy benefits.

The analysis focuses on the revised (final) Claimant Count data. However, a summary of the latest provisional percentage change in the Claimant Count gives an idea of whether it is decreasing or increasing.

May 2024 provisional percentage change in Claimant Count numbers

In May 2024, the provisional number of persons aged 16-64 on the Claimant Count rose by 1.2% over the month on the revised figures for April 2024 in the Lancashire-12 area and by 1.5% in the Lancashire-14 area. These increases are lower than UK percentage rise of 2.2%. Nine of the Lancashire-14 local authority areas also saw provisional increases to their totals and five areas saw decreases.

The provisional monthly count will change when the revised (final) figures are released next month, and they are usually lower.

April 2024 revised (final) data: analysis

Lancashire-12 and Lancashire-14 areas

In April 2024, the revised proportion of persons aged 16-64 on the Claimant Count was 3.8% in the Lancashire-12 area. This was the same the UK (3.8%). However, the proportions for the Lancashire-14 area (4.3%) and the North West region (4.2%) were above the UK figure.

Microsoft Power BI Report: Analysis of Claimant Count numbers and proportions by geography, gender and age

Source: Powered by LG Inform Plus - Claimant Count numbers sourced from the Office for National Statistics via the National On-line Manpower Information System (Nomisweb - Claimant Count dataset). Claimant Count proportions calculated by LG Inform Plus. Some proportions may differ to the proportions sourced directly from Nomis as LG Inform Plus have applied the latest relevant mid-year population estimates (see notes above).

   

District summary

Five of the six local authority areas in the east of the Lancashire-14 area, plus Blackpool and Preston have proportions above the UK.

Pendle had a proportion of 6.5%, the seventh highest in the UK - out of 374 local authority areas. Pendle has seen a very sharp increase to its Claimant Count total and proportion since December 2023. Pendle's proportion is now the highest in the Lancashire-14 area.

Blackpool (6.3%), Burnley (6.2%), Hyndburn (5.9%), and Blackburn with Darwen (5.8%) were in the highest 10% of the UK rankings. Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Hyndburn have also seen steep rises to their Claimant Count numbers and proportions since December 2023.

Preston (4.8%) and Rossendale (4.1%) also had figures above the UK proportion. Ribble Valley (1.9%) had the lowest proportion in the Lancashire-14 area, the third lowest in the North West region and was the seventh joint-lowest in the UK.

In the Lancashire-12 area, Preston (4,740) had the highest total, followed by Pendle (3,750), Burnley (3,670), Hyndburn (3,035) and Lancaster (2,695). Ribble Valley (690) had the lowest total.

The totals for Blackburn with Darwen (5,640) and Blackpool (5,530) were the highest in the Lancashire-14 area.

Lancashire-12 summary

For the Lancashire-12 area, the Claimant Count total was 29,450 (3.8%) persons in April 2024, 17,175 were men and 12,280 were women. The proportion for men (4.5%) was higher than that for women (3.2%). (UK men = 4.4%, women = 3.2%). Males in the Lancashire-12 area accounted for 58.3% of the total.

The total in April 2024 was up by 145 persons (0.5%) on the previous month (UK = -0.9%); the L-12 proportion was unchanged (UK also unchanged).

Two of the 12 areas recorded monthly increases to their proportions, eight were unchanged and two decreased. In Pendle, the proportion increased by 0.3 percentage points (pps) and Burnley's rose by 0.1 percentage point. The proportions for West Lancashire and Wyre each saw decreases of 0.1 percentage point. The proportions for remaining eight local authority areas were unchanged. 

Compared to April 2023, the total rose by 4.6% (+1,295 persons). (UK = +0.6%); the L-12 proportion was up by 0.1 percentage point (UK unchanged).

Five of the 12 areas recorded yearly increases to their proportions, three saw decreases and Chorley, Fylde, Ribble Valley and Rossendale were unchanged.

The proportion for Pendle (+1.3 pps) saw the greatest yearly increase in the area, followed by Burnley (+0.6 pps), Preston (+0.4 pps), South Ribble (+0.2 pps) and Hyndburn (+0.1pp). The proportions for Lancaster and West Lancashire each fell by 0.2 percentage points over the year. Wyre's fell by 0.1 percentage point.

Lancashire-14 summary

The Claimant Count total for the Lancashire-14 area was 40,625 persons (4.3%) in April 2024. 23,800 were men and 16,815 were women. The proportion for men (5.0%) was higher than that for women (3.5%). (UK men = 4.4%, women = 3.2%). Males accounted for 58.6% of the Claimant Count total.

The total was up by 90 persons (0.2%) on the previous month (UK = -0.9%); the proportion was unchanged (UK unchanged).

The proportion for Blackburn with Darwen rose by 0.1 percentage point between March 2024 and April 2024. The proportion for Blackpool decreased by 0.2 pps.

Compared to April 2023, the L-14 total rose by 2.8% (+1,100 persons). (UK = +0.6%); the proportion was up by 0.1 percentage point (UK unchanged).

Blackpool recorded the greatest fall to the Claimant Count in the area over the year, decreasing 9.0% (down 545 persons). The proportion fell by 0.7 percentage points.  In contrast, Blackburn with Darwen saw a rise 6.5% (up 345 persons) to the count. The proportion rose by 0.4 percentage points.

Claimant Count age band analysis

Persons aged 25 to 49 years on the Claimant Count

In the UK, as at April 2024, the 25 to 49 years age band accounts for about three-fifths of the Claimant Count total (59.4%). The percentage for the Lancashire-12 area (59.9%) is slightly higher but the Lancashire-14 area percentage (59.3%) is marginally lower than the UK.

The UK proportion for the 25 to 49 years age band is 4.3%. The proportions for the Lancashire-12 area (4.7%) and the Lancashire-14 area (5.2%) are higher. 

Five of the Lancashire-12 areas have Claimant Count proportions for this age band that are greater than the UK proportion (4.3%).

Pendle (7.8%) has the highest proportion in the Lancashire-12 area, followed by Burnley (7.3%), Hyndburn (7.1%), Preston (6.0%) and Rossendale (4.7%). Pendle's proportion is also the highest in the Lancashire-14 area. The proportions for Ribble Valley (2.4%), Chorley (2.8%) and South Ribble (3.0%) are the lowest in the area for this age band. 

The 25-49 age band proportions for Blackpool (7.2%) and Blackburn with Darwen (6.5%) are also higher than the UK proportion (4.3%).

Persons aged 16 to 24 years on the Claimant Count

In April 2024, at the UK level, the 16 to 24 years age band accounts for under a fifth of the Claimant Count total (17.8%). The percentages for Lancashire-12 (17.9%) and Lancashire-14 area (18.2%) are slightly higher than the UK.

The UK proportion for the 16 to 24 years age band is 4.0%. The proportion for the Lancashire-12 area (3.9%) is marginally lower but the Lancashire-14 proportion (4.5%) is higher.

Four of the Lancashire-12 areas have Claimant Count proportions for the 16-24 year age band that are higher than the UK proportion (4.0%).

Burnley (7.0%) has the highest proportion in the area, followed by Hyndburn (6.3%), Pendle (5.6%) and Rossendale (5.4%). The proportions for Ribble Valley (2.0%), West Lancashire (2.5%) and Lancaster (2.6%) are the lowest in the area for this age band. 

Blackpool (8.7%) has the highest proportion in the Lancashire-14 area for the 16-24 years age band. The proportion for Blackburn with Darwen (5.3%) is also higher than the UK proportion (4.0%).

Persons aged 50 and over on the Claimant Count

Persons aged 50 and over (50+) in the UK accounted for over a fifth (22.7%) of the Claimant Count total in April 2024. The percentages for Lancashire-12 area (22.2%) and Lancashire-14 area (22.4%) are slightly lower than the UK. 

The UK proportion for the 50+ age band is 2.8%. The proportion for the Lancashire-12 area (2.5%) is slightly lower than the UK but the Lancashire-14 proportion (2.9%) is marginally higher. 

Four of the Lancashire-12 areas have Claimant Count proportions for the 50+ age band that are greater than the UK proportion (2.8%). 

Pendle (4.7%) has the highest proportion in the Lancashire-12 area for this age band. Pendle's proportion is also joint highest in the wider Lancashire-14 area, together with Blackburn with Darwen (4.7). Burnley's proportion (4.0%) is the second highest in the Lancashire-12 area, followed by Hyndburn (3.8%) and Preston (3.3%). The proportions for Ribble Valley (1.2%), South Ribble (1.7%) and Fylde (1.8%) are the lowest in the area for this age band.

Blackburn with Darwen (4.7%) has the joint highest proportion in the Lancashire-14 area for the 50+ years age band (together with Pendle (4.7%)), followed by Blackpool (4.1%).

Persons aged 65 and over on the Claimant Count

The Claimant Count benefit is primarily for people of working age (people aged 16 to 64). However, owing to the way that Pension Credit rules are applied, some couples aged over the State Pension age may receive Universal Credit if the couple includes a younger partner under State Pension age.

From 15 May 2019 onwards, a change in Pension Credit eligibility rules means that both partners of a couple must be over State Pension age in order to claim Pension Credit. Prior to 15 May 2019, eligibility was based on the older partner’s age. Where the youngest partner is under State Pension age, these couples may be eligible for Universal Credit instead. This means more people over State Pension age may now receive Universal Credit / Claimant Count.

In the Lancashire-14 area, the number of persons aged 65 or over on the Claimant Count was 5 or fewer until December 2018. Numbers then rose, peaking at 800 in the January and February of 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic (1.3% of the total in January 2021). Numbers have fallen since this peak and as at April 2024, persons aged 65 or over on the Claimant Count totalled 580 in the Lancashire-14 area (1.4% of the total). The UK 65+ total was 24,040 (1.5% of the total).

Blackpool (85 persons), Blackburn with Darwen (75 persons), Preston (55 persons), Burnley (50 persons) and Pendle (50 persons) had the highest number of people aged 65 or over on the Claimant Count in the Lancashire-14 area in April 2024.     

Additional things you need to know about the data

Claimant Count data versus official unemployment and small area data

Please note that the Claimant Count does not measure official unemployment. Official unemployment has a wider definition and includes those economically active unemployed persons who meet the definition criteria, and who do not claim benefits, either through choice, or for reasons of non-eligibility. Official unemployment figures therefore tend to be somewhat higher than the Claimant Count.

Official unemployment data is not available below the district/unitary authority level, whereas Claimant Count data is available for small geographic areas such as wards and smaller lower-layer super output areas (LSOAs). The Claimant Count therefore provides a good proxy for unemployment at the small local level. Generally, a high Claimant Count in an area is a good indicator of high unemployment in that area.

Information about the wider labour market can be found in the monthly statistical bulletins produced by the ONS on the UK labour market and the regional labour markets in the UK.

Impact of the Universal Credit full service roll out on the Claimant Count

Please note that Lancaster became a Universal Credit full service area in July 2016 - the first in the Lancashire-14 area. This means that persons can process Universal Credit claims online, rather than via the phone. The result was an acceleration in the number of people claiming Universal Credit in Lancaster (in addition to substantial upward revisions over the summer months of 2016).

An initial impact in Lancaster was the accelerated reduction in claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from July 2016. The number of claimants in Lancaster fell by 76.3% (or 648 persons) from to 849 people in July 2016, to 201 persons in July 2019. At April 2024 the Lancaster JSA total was 106 persons. Other benefits that are being replaced by Universal Credit will probably be similarly affected when the transfer process begins.

Burnley became a Universal Credit full service area in May 2017, West Lancashire in December 2017 and Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn in February 2018. Preston and South Ribble became Universal Credit full service areas in March 2018 and Chorley in April 2018. Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale all became Universal Credit full service areas in July 2018. Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool transitioned to UC full service areas in September 2018.

A similar impact on Universal Credit numbers and JSA claimants to that experienced in Lancaster has also been seen in the remaining Lancashire-14 local authority areas. 

The impact of Universal Credit on JSA numbers 

Generally, the number of JSA claimants has reduced as Universal Credit has been rolled out. However, the number of JSA claimants increased between March 2020 and September 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold. JSA numbers have generally declined since this time, although they can still fluctuate.  

Provisional and revised Claimant Count data

As Claimant Count data now include Universal Credit claimants, the initial Claimant Count figures are 'provisional'. As Universal Credit figures are revised in the month after their initial publication, the Claimant Count figures are also now revised a month after their initial release.

Important notices: Revisions, incorrect geographies and missing claims

Claimant Count data revised downwards from January 2016 to December 2018

Owing to an error in the way the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) counted the Universal Credit element of the Claimant Count, the Claimant Count figures have been corrected downwards from the January 2016 data to the December 2018 data, inclusive. Claimant Count data for this period which was downloaded prior to 19 February 2019 should not be used and the corrected data downloaded again. Claimant Count data for January 2019 onwards should now be correct. The Claimant Count data will however continue to undergo the usual monthly revision, following their initial 'provisional' release (see above).

Further details about the Universal Credit error are contained in the Statistical Notice published by the DWP on the 19 February 2019. A summary is also available on our Universal Credit web page. Please note the Universal Credit element within the Claimant Count only includes those Universal Credit claimants who are required to seek work and be available for work, so the corrected totals for the Claimant Count will be a subset of the corrected totals for Universal Credit as a whole.

Incorrect geographic coding of the Universal Credit element of the Claimant Count from December 2018 to November 2019

A number of claims to the Universal Credit element of the Claimant Count were supplied coded to incorrect locations for the periods December 2018 to November 2019. This has been corrected for December 2019 onwards, but previous periods remain affected. This particularly affects a number of claimants in Northern Ireland who have been incorrectly allocated to areas in Great Britain. The impact on Northern Ireland for December 2019 is an increase of less than 1,000 cases that had previously been distributed across Great Britain. At the UK level there should not be a net effect. As the incorrect postcodes were distributed proportionately across Great Britain, it is thought that the impact on the Lancashire-14 area should be minimal, with about 15 to 25 additional persons for each month from December 2018 to November 2019 in the area.

Missing claims from the January 2021 Claimant Count

Due to processing issues, a small number of Universal Credit claims may not have been included in the January 2021 Claimant Count. This may affect up to 20,000 claims throughout the UK, but the actual number is expected to be substantially fewer. These claims are expected to be included in future Claimant Count releases

Page updated 26 June 2024