Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Increase in number of Universal Credit claimants

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 10:10, Friday January 24th, 2020.
Last updated: 10:11, Friday January 24th, 2020

The number of people claiming Universal Credit in Caerphilly County Borough has increased by almost 2,000 since August 2019.

The latest figures from the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in December last year, 8,134 people in Caerphilly were claiming Universal Credit.

In August 2019, that number was 6,282.

Of Wales’ 22 local authorities, Caerphilly has the sixth highest number of Universal Credit claimants, rising one place from seventh.

MP demands government takes action over Universal Credit

Only Cardiff, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Newport and Neath-Port Talbot rank higher.

Universal Credit, which combines several benefits into one, was fully introduced to Caerphilly County Borough in September 2018.

Across Wales, there were 141,462 claimants in December, with more than 2.8 million people across the UK receiving the benefit.

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd claims Universal Credit is now a ‘more sympathetic process’

There have been a number of well-reported problems with delayed payment of the benefit.

Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David, who was re-elected in December’s General Election, said: “This is a flagship government policy and yet its implementation has been a disaster.

“People are still having to wait for as long as five weeks for their first payment and many, as a result, are being forced to use food banks.

“The benefit is also unfair, with some claimants being worse off as a result of its introduction. The government really ought to scrap Universal Credit and go back to the drawing board.”

Half of Universal Credit claimants in Caerphilly County Borough are in rent arrears

Huw Thomas, DWP group partnership manager for Wales, said: “Universal Credit is helping more and more people in Wales move into work faster and become financially independent.

“It is providing valuable support for families and is helping to transform lives for the better.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Latest News

  • Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth with Lindsay Whittle on the morning after the by-election victory
    Caerphilly’s new Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle vows to “fight like a Trojan”Monday, October 27, 2025
  • Reform leader Nigel Farage and his candidate, Llŷr Powell
    Farage ‘not disappointed’ by Reform’s Caerphilly by-election failureMonday, October 27, 2025
  • South Wales East MS Natasha Asghar outside the Grange University Hospital
    MS questions value for money in hospital car park solar panel plansMonday, October 27, 2025
  • Rugby round-up: Teams advance in cups while hopes dashed for othersMonday, October 27, 2025
  • Ynys Hywel Countryside Centre, Cwmfelinfach
    Campaigners toast public footpath decision but warn against council staff shortagesMonday, October 27, 2025
  • Work begins on new all-weather sports pitch and pupil support centreMonday, October 27, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Ffos CaerffiliThursday, October 23, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Pontygwindy Industrial EstateWednesday, October 22, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 16, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 2, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.