Thousands of teenagers across the North East are on Universal Credit, new figures have revealed.
Analysis of the latest Government figures reveal that 6,695 people aged between 16 and 19 received the six-in-one benefit in August this year - that works out at around one in every 18 teenagers of that age range across the region.
Campaigners said the findings reflected the huge number of people "struggling" on low incomes.
The figures also revealed that 84.3% of the North East’s teenagers on Universal Credit were unemployed.
The benefit system was designed to replace child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance and working tax credit.
One in 15 teenagers are on Universal Credit in South Tyneside, with 414 receiving the benefit.
In North Tyneside, one in every 17 teenagers, or 472, are on Universal Credit, with one in every 17 also on it in Gateshead.
Newcastle has 690 young people, which works out a rate of one in every 26, on the controversial benefit.
Matthew Geer, campaigns manager at the poverty charity Turn2us, said: “The fact that teenagers are having to claim Universal Credit highlights how many families across the UK are struggling on low incomes.
“There are a number of reasons for under-18s to need to claim UC, such as a disability, a caring role, having a child of their own, or if they are without parental support.
“What is vital is that we don’t demonise young claimants, but support them holistically.
“Ultimately, we all want to live in a society that empowers the next generation to develop their skills and enable them to be financially stable.”
Across the UK, there were 98,563 teenagers aged between 16 and 19 who received Universal Credit in August this year.
That works out as around one in every 29 people in that age range.
Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “Universal Credit is a force for good, delivering personalised support right across the North East and helping people find work.
“This week the employment rate reached a joint-record high and the jobs market continues to go from strength to strength.
I have no doubt that this is due in part to our fantastic jobcentre staff, who work tirelessly to help people build their skills and find jobs.
“For people who want to find work, there’s a wide range of help available in jobcentres, including training courses, CV writing sessions and jobs fairs.”
