Number of new claims being made for universal credit has reduced to pre-pandemic levels

However, new DWP statistics show that there are now 5.6 million people on universal credit, of which 42 per cent are 'searching for work'

The number of claims being made for universal credit in Great Britain has reduced to pre-pandemic levels following a sharp increase at the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to new DWP statistics.

In Universal Credit Statistics: 29 April 2013 to 9 July 2020, published today, the DWP reports that there were 240,000 universal credit claims made in the four weeks up to 9 July 2020 - a return to the levels prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - as compared to the 2.4 million starts to the benefit during the first two months of lockdown.

With 5.6 million people now claiming universal credit, the DWP also points out that the proportions of each claimant type have changed as a result of the pandemic -  

• 42 per cent were in the 'searching for work' conditionality group as at 9 July 2020 - an increase of 6 per cent since March 2020;
• of claimants who started on universal credit in July 2020, 9.2 per cent were aged 16 to 19 years old and 20.5 per cent were aged 20 to 24 years old, as compared with 6.7 per cent and 14.4 per cent respectively in March 2020; and
• the proportion of men on universal credit increased to 49 per cent on 9 July 2020, up from 44 per cent on 12 March 2020.

NB - in DWP benefits statistics: August 2020, also published today, the DWP highlights that, due to the rollout of universal credit, the number of people claiming housing benefit, employment and support allowance, jobseeker's allowance and income support continues to fall.

For more information see Universal Credit statistics: 29 April 2013 to 9 July 2020 from gov.uk