Dramatic Rise In Short Term Claimants On Live Register

There was an increase of 166,452 (up by a massive 113.4%) in short term claimants on the Live Register in the year to April. This represented 88.7% of the total increase on the Live Register over the year. Almost three-quarters (122,889) of this short term increase occurred between October 2008 and April 2009.

The number of long term claimants increased by 21,273 (up 42.9%) in the year to April 2009, with 14,695 of the increase occurring between October 2008 and April 2009.

In the six months to April 2009, the number of short term male claimants increased by 84,875 (up 69.4%), while the comparable increase for females was 38,014 (up 55.9%).

In April 2009 81.6% of all claimants on the Live Register were short term, an increase from 77.2% in October 2008.

In the six months to April 2009, the number of long term male claimants increased by 11,174 (+27.9%), while the comparable increase for females was 3,521 (+21.9%).

The largest percentage increases in male claimants occurred in the 25-34 year age group, which increased by 71.2% in the six months to April 2009.

Among female claimants the largest percentage increase in the six months to April 2009 also occurred in the 25-34 year age group (+64.1%).

For short term claimants, there were increases in all age groups over the six month period. The largest percentage change was among the 25-34 year age group (+77.5%). Those aged 60-64 (+37.6%) had the lowest percentage change.

The largest percentage change for long term claimants over the six month period was among the 20-24 year age group (+34.2%), while those in the 45-54 year age group showed the lowest percentage change (+17.2%).