Unemployed Claimant Count September 2021

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Unemployed Claimant Count September 2021


The number of unemployed claimants in Dagenham and Rainham constituency in September 2021 was 5,380. 

This represents a rate of 7.7% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 5.0%. There are 235 less claimants than in August 2021 and there are 2,645 more claimants than in March 2020 before the UK lockdown began. Note the majority of this increase happed in March-May 2020 at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

There were 865 claimants aged 18-24 in September 2021, 20 lower than August 2021 and 390 higher than March 2020.

This represents a rate of 9.4% of the population aged 18-24. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 6.4%. As part of the government's response to coronavirus (COVID-19), a number of enhancements were introduced to Universal Credit. These may have increased the number of employed people who are eligible for unemployment-related benefits.

Long term trends

The unadjusted claimant count is currently not a good indicator of long- term trends in the number of people looking for work. It does however provide us with a measure of how the number of claimants has changed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The adjusted alternative claimant count is updated on a quarterly basis.

The ongoing impact of coronavirus on Universal Credit

Under Universal Credit, a broader spectrum of people are required to look for work than under Jobseeker's Allowance. This has the effect of increasing the number of unemployed claimants. In addition to this, as part of the government's response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), a number of enhancements were introduced to Universal Credit. Consequently, whilst some of the increase in the unemployed claimant count will be due to people who have become unemployed, some will also be due to employed people who have become eligible for Universal Credit as part of the government response to Coronavirus.

The impact of the Universal Credit Cut

The latest Government imposed cut to Universal Credit will hit nearly six million people. More than a third (38%) of those who'll see their income hit are already in employment, whilst one in six (16%) are under 25.

Across Dagenham and Rainham 13, 710 households on Universal Credit will lose £1000 a year, whilst 10,802 children living in households on Universal Credit will be pushed into poverty.

Jon Cruddas MP: "At the start of October the Tories ushered in the most devastating cut to social security since WWII. The cut to Universal Credit means 13,710 families across Dagenham and Rainham will lose £1,000 per year in payments, a heartless policy which will see 10,802 children pushed into poverty overnight. This move will also hit 5,513 working households in my constituency who rely on Universal Credit to top up their wages.

The retort from Tory Ministers that ‘if people need more money, they should get a better job' is utterly shameful, especially given the state of the economy following their government's poorly planned route map out of the pandemic. In the coming days, weeks, and months I will continue lobbying the Government to reverse this socially damaging decision."