There are nearly 18,000 people in Bristol claiming Universal Credit, new figures have revealed.
In the south west there are almost 213,000 people now receiving support from Universal Credit.
In Bristol, there are a total of 17,783 claimants - around 300 more than there were in January.
New data released this week, has revealed more than 2.8 million people are on Universal Credit in Britain – an increase of two per cent from the previous month.
The publication of the latest Universal Credit statistics comes in the same week new figures showed the UK employment rate has reached 76.5 per cent.
Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “No two people are the same, which is why Universal Credit support is tailored to you – already it’s helped thousands of people across the South West as they’ve moved into full-time work.
“Universal Credit can pay up to 85 per cent of your childcare costs, help with housing bills, and provides a monthly allowance to top up your wages. And from April the amount you can get on Universal Credit is going up.”
Universal Credit, which is available in every jobcentre across the UK, replaces six previous benefits with a single monthly payment.
The DWP says with the new system, people are moving into work faster and staying in work for longer than they were before.
From April people on Universal Credit will see their payments from the benefit rise by 1.7 per cent, in line with inflation.
Rachel Jones DWP Group Director for the South West said: “Every day Universal Credit is giving more and more people in the South West the tools to transform their lives through work.
“The system is helping people move into work faster and stay there for longer and the service is constantly adapting and improving. It also provides valuable support for families and those most in need.”
For more information about Universal Credit, please visit www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk
