Working-age out-of-work benefits by region

Key points

  • At 14%, the proportion of working-age adults receiving out-of-work benefits in London is average for England.
  • About 6% of working-age adults in London receive sickness or disability related benefits.
  • 8% of adults receive out-of-work benefits for other reasons (including JSA and lone parent Income Support), higher than almost all other English regions.

The proportion of working-age adults receiving out-of-work benefits

What does this graph show?

Approximately 14% of working-age adults in London receive out-of-work benefits. Four English regions have higher proportions, and four lower.

What is different about London is the composition of this group. At about 6%, the proportion of working-age adults receiving sickness or disability related benefits is lower than most other regions. The younger age structure of London compared to other regions is an important factor here.

The higher proportion of lone parents in London compared to the rest of England boosts the number of adults who receive out-of-work benefits for other reasons (including Jobseeker's Allowance and lone parent Income Support) to 8%, higher than all many other English regions.

The working-age, out-of-work benefits referred to by the Department of Work and Pensions as 'key out-of-work benefits' are: Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support (IS), Incapacity Benefit (IB), Severe Disablement Allowance and Carer's Allowance. People receiving Disability Living Allowance only are excluded as they may be in work, and it is not means-tested.

Data used

Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, DWP and ONS population estimates for May 2009

Indicator last updated: 29 April 2010

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Glossary

Pension Credit Guarantee:

Paid to those pensioners who have little or no income. In 2008 the guarantee brought a pensioner's income to £124.05 a week for single pensioners and £189.35 a week for pensioner couples

Key out-of-work benefits:

Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support (IS), Incapacity Benefit (IB), Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer's Allowance. Disability Living Allowance is not a key out-of-work benefit as it is available to people who may be in work and is not means-tested.

Benefit recipiency levels:

the proportion of working-age adults receiving out-of-work benefits

Read all glossary definitions

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