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Universal Credit

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:

Data period: April 2021 to March 2025 (provisional) (In/Out of Work February 2025)
(Households to November 2024)
Note: In/Out of work data is one month behind overall UC claimant figures.
NECA: North East Combined Authority
Claimants:
  • Slightly over one in five people are claiming Universal Credit in County Durham – The proportion of the 16 to 64 population in County Durham claiming UC, for any reason, has increased since April 2021 from 16.2% to 21.5% in March 2025. (March 2025 – NECA: 21.1%; NE: 21.9%; Eng: 18.4%),
  • 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 31.3% in February 2025.  (February 2025 rates – NECA: 33%; NE: 32.9%; Eng: 35.8%),
  • 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 68.7% in February 2025. (February 2025 rates – NECA: 67%; NE: 67.1%; Eng: 64.2%),

Households:

  • The number of households claiming UC increased from 28,498 to 57,587, an increase of 102.1% since February 2020,
  • The proportion of households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, increased from 42.1% to 49.1 in November 2024. This is an increase from 12,406 to 27,330 households, (November 2024 proportion – NECA: 48.6%; NE: 49%; Eng: 52.3%),
  • The proportion of lone parent households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, increased from 35.7% to 36% between February 2020 and November 2024. This is an increase from 8,910 to 20,064 households, (November 2024 proportion – NECA: 35.4%; NE: 36%; Eng: 36.8%),
  • The proportion of couple households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, has risen from 10.8% in February 2020 to 13% in November 2024. However, this is an increase from 3,083 to 7,264 households, (November 2024 proportion – NECA: 13.2%; NE: 13%; Eng: 15.5%).

Related Links:

  • Links to data: