AS the cost of living crisis continues, more people are claiming Universal Credit in Warrington than last year.

New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions shows that more people in Warrington were claiming Universal Credit in March 2023 than they were in 2022.

More than 17,000 people are now claiming the benefit, up around five per cent from the year before.

 

As of March, the figures show that 17,181 residents were claiming Universal Credit, compared to 16,425 in March 2022.

This means that more than eight per cent of Warrington's population is claiming Universal Credit benefits.

17,181 residents claiming Universal Credit make up 13,081 households in the town - which is 13 per cent of households.

Of those claiming the benefit, 40 per cent are employed - almost half - showing that the cost of living is impacting those in and out of employment in Warrington.

It should be noted, however, that the number of claimants peaked in March 2021, when there were 18,165.

The number dropped in 2022, but has risen again as the cost of living has spiralled.

Anna Stevenson, benefits expert at anti-poverty charity Turn2Us, said: "The Government needs to make sure support is there when people need it, and that it’s the right support to get through this crisis.

"The longer-term, systemic answer, is to build an effective social security system in which people can thrive."

In England and Wales 112 local authorities hit their highest-ever number of Universal Credit recipients this March – more than 30 per cent of all areas.