Number of people on universal credit hits all-time high in Doncaster

The figures come as a think tank calls for social security to be pegged to the cost of living.

Universal credit is a benefit available to those out of work, disabled or below a threshold of earnings and savings.

Combined with a winding-up of older benefits and reduced employment opportunities, the number of people using universal credit rose dramatically over the pandemic – and has remained high since.

Provisional figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show 35,890 people were using the benefit in Doncaster by March – the most ever in the area.

This was also a seven per cent rise on 33,457 in March 2022.

Sam Tims, economist at the New Economics Foundation, said "inadequate levels of support" combined with low pay and insecure work was forcing people receiving benefits into difficult decisions.

In March, 36 per cent of universal credit recipients in the area were employed.

Mr Tims urged for benefits to be benchmarked to the cost of living, to help those struggling with the current crisis.

Across England and Wales, the number of households with someone on universal credit reached a record peak in February, at nearly 4.5 million.

This included Doncaster, where 27,478 households were receiving the benefit.

Anna Stevenson at anti-poverty charity Turn2Us, said "far too many households" are still struggling financially.

"The Government needs to make sure support is there when people need it, and that it’s the right support to get through this crisis.

"The longer term, systemic answer, is to build an effective social security system in which people can thrive."

In England and Wales 111 other local authorities hit their highest ever number of universal credit recipients in March – more than 30% of all areas.