The amount of people claiming Universal Credit in Tameside has decreased from July 2020, according to new data.

Figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions show a reduction in those claiming the payment locally, when compared to this time last year.  

There was a decrease of 1,572 claimants, with 325 of them between the ages of 18-24. 

Overall, records show 14 per cent fewer people were claiming Universal Credit in July 2021 than July 2020.  

However, compared to five years ago, the number of claimants in Tameside has risen by 71 per cent, with young people aged 18-24 seeing an 85 per cent increase in applications for Universal Credit.  

These figures echo those of the United Kingdom on the whole, where fewer people are now claiming Universal Credit and the number of new claimants is returning to pre-pandemic levels.  

In the North West of England, the employment rate is also on the up at 73.2 per cent.  

Minister for Welfare Delivery, Will Quince, said: “Universal Credit continues to support people across the country. We’ve hired 13,500 new work coaches to offer claimants individual tailored support and our Plan for Jobs is helping them into the recruiting sectors.” 

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