The number of single parents claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the North West has been cut in half in the last two years.
The decrease comes as part of a UK-wide drop of over 60,000, with 8,000 fewer claimants in the North West alone.
After London, the North West has experienced the greatest decrease since January 2013, with just 11,090 parents now claiming JSA.
The latest figures released from the Department for Work and Pensions show the number of single, widowed, divorced or separated parents claiming was at 19,075 just two years ago.
The end of last year marked the lowest number of JSA claimants in the region since December 2010.
Lone parents make up over 10% of the JSA numbers, but at 860,000, the number of claimants is at its lowest level since July 2008.
“This government is committed to ensuring that everyone who is able to work is given the skills and the opportunities to do so,” said Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith.
He added: “With employment already at record levels, this suggests our approach is working.”
Figures also revealed the number of female claimants across the country was down by 60,000 since 2013, while males decreased by almost 7,000.
The majority of lone parents claiming were white, with almost 67,000, while black parents and Asian parents came second and third with 9,685 and 5,610 claimants respectively.
These figures follow the announcement that over a million jobseekers have signed up to Claimant Commitment, to get more people off benefits and into work.
The Claimant Commitment has already been rolled out to all those on the much-maligned Universal Credit scheme.
The CC gives people structured plans to get back into work, and enforces penalties if they fail to meet their goals.
Image courtesy of Consumer and Business Services – South Australia via Youtube, with thanks.
