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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:
- 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 20.5% in December 2024. (December 2024 – NECA: 20.4%; NE: 20.9%; Eng: 17.5%),
- 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 33.1% in November 2024. (November 2024 rates – NECA:35.2%; NE: 35%; Eng: 37.9%),
- 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 66.9% in November 2024. (November 2024 rates – NECA: 64.8%; NE: 65%; Eng: 62.1%),
Households:
- The number of households claiming UC increased from 28,498 to 55,676, an increase of 95.4% since February 2020,
- The proportion of households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, increased from 42.1% to 49 in August 2024. This is an increase from 12,406 to 25,622 households, (May 2024 proportion – NECA: 48.6%; NE: 48.6%; Eng: 51.2%),
- The proportion of lone parent households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, increased from 35.7% to 36.3% between February 2020 and August 2024. This is an increase from 8,910 to 19,591 households, (August 2024 proportion – NECA: 35.5%; NE: 36.1%; Eng: 36.9%),
- The proportion of couple households claiming UC with dependent children in County Durham, has risen from 10.8% in February 2020 to 12.8% in August 2024. However, this is an increase from 3,083 to 6,902 households, (August 2024 proportion – NECA: 12.8%; NE: 12.6%; Eng: 15%).