A COUNCILLOR has said Bradford remains "vulnerable" despite it bucking a national trend in regards to a rise in workless households. 

As the cost-of-living crisis bites for many across the UK, new figures show nearly nine in 10 households in Bradford have at least one working-age adult in employment.

Last year saw the first national rise in the number of working-age households without an employed adult since 2010, before rising food and energy prices led to soaring inflation this year.

The Institute for Public Policy Research said the rise in workless households is "seriously concerning", especially during the rising cost of living.

Office for National Statistics figures show 142,059 Bradford households containing one or more occupants aged between 16 and 64 had at least one person in employment in 2021.

It meant 87.1% of households were classed as either working – where all working-age adults are in employment – or mixed, with at least one working and one workless adult – up from 83.2% the year before.

Across the UK, the number of workless households rose for the first time since 2010 last year from 13.7% to 14.1%.

In Bradford, just 21,053 households (12.9%) had no working-age occupants in employment last year.

Rachel Statham, associate director for work and welfare state at the IPPR, said: "It’s seriously concerning to see a rise in workless households as our cost-of-living crisis deepens this winter, and it’s clear urgent action is needed to keep people in the workforce as living costs soar."

Bradford Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are deeply concerned about the national rise in workless households and the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis on local people.

“Our district is bucking this national trend with a reduction in workless households and an 8.5% increase in employment during 2020/21.

“However, Bradford remains vulnerable to the crisis and we are doing everything we can to boost local growth and jobs and support people who are struggling in these difficult times.

“We have also just renewed our district-wide anti-poverty strategy which aims to protect people during the cost of living crisis.

“This helps prevent and provide routes out of poverty. Developing skills and training and access to good jobs are a key part of this.

“However, we need to be realistic. We need more support from the Government, we need well-funded public services and we need investment which will help level up our district.”

 

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