18 December 2006

Further fall in benefit numbers

Social Development and Employment Minister David Benson-Pope has welcomed the continuing fall in Unemployment and Domestic Purposes Benefit numbers, following the release of the November figures.

"Unemployment Benefit numbers fell by almost 3,000 in November, to 36,063, and Domestic Purposes Benefit numbers are under 100,000 for the first time since 1993", Mr Benson-Pope said.

"In the past year, the fall in Unemployment and Domestic Purposes Benefit numbers has outstripped the increase in Invalids and Sickness Benefit numbers by a ratio of four to one," Mr Benson-Pope said.

"The result is that overall benefit numbers have fallen by over 14,000."

Benefit Nov 2005 Nov 2006 Change
Unemployment 47,509 36,063 - 11,446
Domestic Purposes 105,760 99,893 - 5,867
Sickness 45,458 46,929 + 1,471
Invalids 74,250 76,512 +2,262
Total working-age* 295,230 281,122 - 14,108

* Includes Training, Student, Widows, Hardship, Independent Youth, Emergency, and Transition Retirement Benefits.

ENDS

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