Out-of-Work Benefits

The overall number of persons on benefits can be estimated using data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).  For the working age population there are two indicators: the total number on benefits (99,830 in February 2012, or 24.1% of the working age population), and the total on out-of-work benefits (87,625 in February 2012, or 21.1% of the working age population).

Out-of-work benefits include Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance/Incapacity Benefit, and some persons in receipt of Income Support.  The following details are for out-of-work benefits.

The Glasgow rate of 21.1% compares with national rates of 14.2% for Scotland and 12.1% for Great Britain.  It is also higher than the rates for Birmingham (18.7%), Manchester (17.8%) and Leeds (12.0%) although lower than the rate for Liverpool (22.0%).

However Glasgow’s rate is lower than the rate for February 2011 (21.3%) and February 2010 (21.8%); and while higher than the rate in February 2008 (20.7%) was lower than the pre-recession February 2007 rate of 22.0%.  It is worth noting that the full impact of welfare reform in reducing claimant numbers is probably still to be seen.