Number of Moray Universal Credit claimants rises slightly
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THERE has been a slight uptick in the number of people claiming Universal Credit (UC) in Moray.
The latest statistics released by the Department of Work and Pensions) shows that 6746 were claiming UC in July compared to 6689 the previous month. This includes those who are out of work as well as those receiving it as an in-work benefit.
However, the year-on-year figures for Moray from May 2020 to the equivalent period this year show a significant fall of 14.2 per cent from 3004 down to 2578
The small increase for July mirrors the national trend for UC claims, with an increase from 477,433 to 481,074 between June and July.
Unemployment, though, has fallen Scotland-wide to 119,000, down 3000 on the quarter and 9000 on the year.
UC replaces the following benefits: Child Tax Credit; Housing Benefit; Income Support; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA); income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
Working Tax Credit.
More information on how UC works can be found at www.gov.uk
Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: "There are positive signs of recovery in today’s jobs figures with the number of young people and older workers on payrolls up on the quarter and the employment rate increasing to 75.1 per cent.
“There is still work to do and we’re focused on helping employers fill roles through our Plan for Jobs – giving people of all ages the skills, support and experience needed to confidently land that next opportunity.”
Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince added: “Universal Credit continues to support people across the country.
"We’ve hired 13,500 new work coaches to offer claimants individual tailored support, and our Plan for Jobs is helping them into the sectors that are recruiting. Anyone who thinks they may be eligible to benefit should head to the Understanding Universal Credit website to find out more.”
In Moray, the DWP are running a number of programmes to help customers re-enter work or improve their skills.
Sector Based Work Programmes (SWAPs) involve working with local employers and partners to to improve the skills and prospects of employment for customers. These programmes allow DWP customers direct insight into what the company does, what working for them can offer, training and work experience.
There are a variety of training courses due to start in the next few months including traffic management, childcare, driver/valeter training as well as the ongoing Job Entry Targeted Support and Job Finding Support courses to support customers moving closer to the labour market.
Anyone wishing to hear more about how they might participate should speak with their work coach.
The Kickstart initiative for people aged 16 to 24 is proving to be popular with smaller employers, who previously felt they could not afford to support or train placement employees. The funding to the minimum wage threshold as well as £1500 for provision of training now makes this more viable.
To date over 100 Kickstart vacancies have been filled within Moray.
