Benefit claims rise to over 5,100 in Dacorum

The number of claimants in Hertfordshire is now three times higher than a year ago
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The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits in Hertfordshire has continued to rise, figures show.

The highest number of claimants was in Dacorum, where there were 5,135 claimants, equivalent to 5.3 per cent of the borough’s population aged 16-64. And that’s 250 per cent higher than a year ago, in August 2019.

Latest data shows that the number of claimants in Hertfordshire is now three times higher than a year ago (August 2019) – with a sharp rise since March.

The number of claimants in Hertfordshire is now three times higher than a year agoThe number of claimants in Hertfordshire is now three times higher than a year ago
The number of claimants in Hertfordshire is now three times higher than a year ago

And the rate of year-on-year increase (200.5 per cent) in the county is significantly higher than the national average of 139.8 per cent.

The figures are due to be reported to a meeting of the county council’s resources and performance cabinet panel on Thursday, October 1.

They show that in August, there were 39,010 claimants across Hertfordshire – which is 920 more than a month earlier – and represents 5.3 per cent of county residents, aged 16-64.

Broxbourne and Watford have the highest proportion of claimants per resident of working age, at 6.9 per cent.

In Broxbourne that equates to 4140 claimants – and is 202 per cent higher than last August.

Meanwhile in Watford there were 4300 claimants – which is 175.6 per cent higher than August 2019.

The district with the lowest number of claimants is Three Rivers, where there are 2,810 claimants – a 203.8 per cent increase on last year.

But the districts with the lowest proportion of claimants per 16-64 population are St Albans and East Hertfordshire, where the figure is 4.3 per cent.

In St Albans that equates to 3830 claimants – a 189 per cent increase compared to August 2019.

In East Herts – which recorded 3960 claimants in August – the number of claimants has increased by 278 per cent compared to August 2019. And that’s the largest percentage increase recorded by any of the district or boroughs in Hertfordshire.

According to the figures the claimant rate in Hertfordshire – of 5.3 per cent of the 16-64 population – remains lower than the national average, which is 6.6.

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