Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that 3,025 people in the Isle of Wight area were claiming ‘out of work benefits’ (wording defined by ONS) during February 2023 – these figures also include Universal Credit figures.
That’s a rise of 35 since January 2022, when there were 2,990 claimants, and a fall of 400 from February 2022 (3,425 JSA claimants).
Breakdown of claimants
Of those claiming in February 2023:
- 1,735 were male (1,715 last month)
- 1,290 were female (1,275 last month)
- 10 were 16-17 (5 last month)
- 565 were aged 18 To 24 (560 last month)
- 345 were aged 18 To 21 (340 last month)
- 1,660 were aged 25 To 49 (1,645 last month)
- 790 were aged 50+ (780 last month)
That means 3.8 per cent of the resident population of area aged 16-64 is claiming out of work benefits – 1 per cent more than the rest of the South East (2.8 per cent), and 0.1 per cent more than the whole of the UK (3.7 per cent).
What’s included in the figures
Those claiming solely Bereavement Benefits or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are not included as these are not out-of-work or income based benefits. DLA is paid to those needing help with personal care. These people can, and some will, be in full-time employment.
If DLA claimants are also in receipt of JSA, IS, ESA or Incapacity Benefits in addition to DLA they will be counted under the relevant statistical group.
Image: dragontomato under CC BY 2.0
