Latest UC stats for Northern Ireland

Law Centre NI Social Security Bulletin (November issue) includes data provided at a recent meeting with the Department for Communities -

22,892 open claims (not necessarily in payment);
25,725 UC claimants;
17,166 claims currently in payment;
14,634 advance payments have been made;
94.1 per cent claims are paid on time. This is slightly below the DWP rate at present;
10,944 closed cases – when the claimant does not sign claimant commitment, or abandons claim;
27 per cent of UC claimants make a claim for UC through their Jobs and Benefits Office;
0.3 per cent claim by telephone;
441 sanctions have been issued.