Universal Credit aims to make the welfare system simpler by replacing 6 benefits and credits with a single monthly payment if you are on a low income or out of work. It includes support for the costs of housing, children and childcare, as well as support for disabled people and carers.
These benefits are: Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit.
Some aspects of Universal Credit data can also provide insight into changes in poverty experienced by residents within the county, in particular, those people who are in work and still experience poverty. People claiming UC can also be in work.
Interactive Maps
Sub-county data can be viewed using these web maps:
Interactive Dashboard
The following dashboard summarises UC claimant data for County Durham. Key messages are contained in this dashboard and below it on this page.
Key Messages:
- The proportion of the 16 to 64 population in County Durham claiming UC, for any reason, has increased since March 2020 from 10% to 19.1% in March 2024, an increase of 86.8%. (February 2024 – NE: 19.4%; Eng: 16%),
- The proportion of UC claimants aged 16 to 64 County Durham, who were in work, has fallen recently from a high of 36.5% in December 2021 to 34.7% in February 2024. (February 2024 rates – NE: 35.3%; Eng: 38.2%),
- The proportion of UC claimants aged 16 to 64 County Durham, who were NOT in work, has fallen recently from a high of 71.2% in March 2020 to 65.3% in February 2024. (Feburary 2024 rates – NE: 64.7%; Eng: 61.8%),
- The number of households claiming UC increased from 28,498 to 51,404, an increase of 80.4%, (November 2023 increase – NE: 79.9%; Eng: 110.6%),
- The proportion of households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, increased from 42.1% to 46.6%. This is an increase from 12,406 to 23,949 households, a rise of 93% in households since March 2020, (November 2023 proportion – NE: 45.3%; Eng: 48.2%),
- The proportion of lone parent households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, increased from 31.3% to 35.8%. This is an increase from 9,166 to 18,427 households, a rise of 101% in households, (November 2023 proportion – NE: 34.6%; Eng: 35.3%),
- The proportion of couple households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, has recently fallen to 10.8%, the same as it was in March 2020. However, this is an increase from 3,240 to 5,529 households, a rise of 70.6% in households, (November 2023 proportion – NE: 10.7%; Eng: 12.9%).