BRADFORD has the highest number of people claiming Universal Credit in the region, with more than 24,000 receiving support.

The latest figures, for July, highlight how a total of 202,617 people in Yorkshire and the Humber are receiving benefits under Universal Credit payments.

In Bradford, this was 24,281 in July, compared to 22,954 people in Leeds, 19,743 in Kirklees, 16,790 in Doncaster and 13,932 in Sheffield.

Universal Credit, which is now available in every jobcentre across the UK, simplifies the benefit system and replaces six previous benefits with a single monthly payment.

The benefit provides tailored support for people who are unemployed, in low-paid work or unable to work due to a disability or health condition.

The figures also show that of the 24,281 people claiming support in the Bradford district, 17,681 were not in employment - a total of 73 per cent of claimants.

This is also the highest proportion across West Yorkshire, with Kirklees, Calderdale, Leeds and Wakefield, all under 70 per cent.

In May the Government revealed that the mean amount of Universal Credit paid to households nationally was £670 a month - equating to a potential £16 million a month or £195 million a year, being paid out to claimants living in Bradford.

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According to the Government, as Universal Credit is now available at all jobcentres, the number of people on the benefit will continue to rise naturally, and does not necessarily signify an increase in unemployment for the area.

Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “Today’s figures show that more than 200,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber are receiving Universal Credit. Behind these figures are thousands of people getting tailored employment support to either find a job or increase their hours.

“Universal Credit is a force for good – it’s simpler, more flexible and is helping people into work quicker than the old system. Crucially, it adjusts to people’s monthly earnings so there are no disincentives to working.

“Staff across the region, from Scarborough to Sheffield, are supporting people who walk through their local jobcentre doors, with training courses, CV writing help, confidence-building sessions and much more.”

Other figures released yesterday, include the employment rate estate, which for Yorkshire and the Humber was 73.3 per cent for the three months ending June 2019. This was a full 1.0 per cent fall on the pervious three month period.

In addition the unemployment rate estimate for the same period was 5.0 per cent, an increase of 0.3 per cent.

Tracy Othen, from Jobcentre Plus in Bradford, said they would be concentrating resources on school leavers at this time of year, helping them make a good start as they search for their first job.