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6 September 2002

STATISTICAL PRESS RELEASE - NORTHERN IRELAND CLIENT GROUP ANALYSIS

The latest in a series of statistical reports entitled "Northern Ireland Client Group Analysis" was released today by the Statistics and Research Branch of the Department for Social Development.

It contains information on people of working age, their children and people of pensionable age receiving at least one key benefit at November 2001. The report is published on the website http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/statistics-research/introduction.asp

Some of the main findings include:

  1. The proportion of the working age population claiming at least one key benefit was 22pc in Northern Ireland compared to 14pc in Great Britain in November 2001

  2. 222,740 (22pc) people of working age were claiming at least one key benefit in November 2001, compared to 232,160 (23pc) in November 1998

  3. More men than women were claimants in November 2001 (117,680 men, 105,060 women) partly due to the difference in retirement age and because men tend to claim a means tested benefit on behalf of a couple. The gap between male and female claimants has narrowed since November 1998 (127,600 men, 104,560 women)

  4. The downward trend in overall numbers is mainly due to a reduction in unemployed claimants (down from 52,960 in November 1998 to 36,140 in November 2001). The number of lone parent claimants has also fallen over this period

  5. The overall number of unemployed claimants fell from 52,960 in
    November 1998 to 36,140 in November 2001. This occurred for two reasons. Firstly the number in this group who left benefit altogether exceeded the number in the group joining from outside benefit. Secondly the number of claimants moving from the unemployed group into other benefit groups was greater than the number moving into unemployment

  6. People of working age claiming sickness and/or disability benefits made up the largest group in November 2001 (144,200 claimants – 65pc of the overall total). The sick and disabled group rose by 9,260 (7pc) between November 1998 and November 2001

  7. The number of claimants with children has fallen from 78,860 in
    November 1998 to 71,840 in November 2001

  8. The number of children/young dependants of claimants has fallen from 162,620 in November 1998 to 141,780 in November 2001

  9. 254,067 (98pc) people over state pension age were claiming at least one key benefit in August 2001 compared to 245,462 (96pc) in August 1998. In August 2001 100pc of men and 97pc of women were claiming at least one key benefit

  10. The number of people over state pension age classified as sick and disabled rose from 111,134 to 121,077 between August 1998 and August 2001

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The key benefits for persons of working age and their children are Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Income Support.

  2. The key benefits for persons of pensionable age are Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Income Support and Retirement Pension.

  3. These analyses are based on data collected through the administration of the individual key benefits, which are available to persons of working age and persons over state pension age with the main exception of Widow’s Benefit and Housing Benefit.

  4. The next publication will be on 28 November 2002 however the information will be updated quarterly on Statistics and Research Branch’s website – http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/statistics-research/introduction.asp


  5. In October 1999 Working Families’ Tax Credit and Disabled Person’s Tax Credit replaced Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance respectively. The tax credits are administered by the Inland Revenue and information on claimants of tax credits can be found in the separate publications by Inland Revenue Analytical Services Division – http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

  6. Further enquires or requests for additional copies should be addressed to Elaine Savage, Statistics & Research Branch, Block 4.3, Castle Buildings, Stormont, BT4 3SJ: Tel - 028 9052 3120;Fax - 028 9052 2763: E-mail - srb@dsdni.gov.uk/srb

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