Corporate Research briefing paper
April 2011 Job Seekers Allowance
Background
This report analyses the number of people who were in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance
(JSA) in April 2011.
The unemployment figures presented in this insight are published by the Office for National
Statistics (ONS) each month. Claimant unemployment percentages are calculated by
dividing the number of claimants by the number of local authority area residents aged 1664. This claimant count measure was introduced in January 2003 and replaced the
previous measure based on workforce rates.
Unemployment is often measured by the uptake of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) benefit.
This takes into account those who are unemployed and seeking employment but not
people who are unemployed and not seeking work.
NB: The population figures used to calculate residence-based proportions (rates) have changed
from working age (16-59f/64m) to aged 16-64 for both males and females. This change affects
rates for all dates. So rates for all dates will differ to those downloaded previously.
1. Summary





The trend for the last 12 months for Blackburn with Darwen shows a decreasing
claimant count; however, over the last six months there has been an upturn in the
number of claimants.
The claimant rate in Blackburn with Darwen (4.5%) is higher than the North West
rate (4.2%) and the national rate of 3.7%.
The claimant rate of 4.5% for Blackburn with Darwen equates to a total of 3,976
people, 71% of whom are male.
The male claimant rate of 6.3% is approximately 2.5 times higher than the claimant
rate for females (2.7%)
Female claimant rates have increased by a fifth compared to April 2010, and by a
quarter over the last six months.

In April 2011, 1,102 people started claiming JSA, and 1,093 stopped, this equates to
approximately 26% more people joining and 11% more leaving the claimant count
compared to the same month of the previous year. Compared to March 2011, offflows increased by a quarter and on-flows increased by a fifth

The majority of claimants (over a half, 57.5%) are aged 25-49; the majority of
claimants 73.7% have been receiving the benefit for 6 months or less.
Approximately 1 in 12 claim for over 12 months and are classed as ‘long term
unemployed’.
Long term claimants have decreased by a fifth since April 2010 and increased by
4.8% since the March 2011.





Eleven wards within the borough have claimant rates higher than the Blackburn
average.
Wensley Fold and Shadsworth with Whitebirk have claimant rates of 8.0% or more
Mill Hill, Sudell, Audley, Ewood, Bastwell, Queens Park, Higher Croft and Little
Harwood have claimant rates above 5% but less than 8%.
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
2 Headline claimant rates
In April 2011, 4.5% of the working population in Blackburn with Darwen were claiming Job
Seekers Allowance (JSA), higher than the North West rate of 4.2% and the national rate of
3.7%.
Table 1: Headline Claimant rate in Blackburn with Darwen April 2011.
Claimant rates by gender:
Total Claimants
Male Claimants
Female claimants
Area
N
Rate
N
Rate
N
Rate
Blackburn with Darwen
3,976
4.5
2,804
6.3
1,172
2.7
186,808
4.2
130,255
5.8
56,553
2.5
North West
1,461,644
3.7
990,917
5.1
470,727
2.4
Great Britain
Source: Jobcentre Plus, Nomis
The rate equates to a total of 3,976 people claiming JSA in the borough, this being made
up of 2,804 males and 1,172 females. Seventy-one per cent of all claimants are male. The
claimant rate of 6.3% for males is higher than the claimant rate for females (2.7%).
Figure 1 illustrates current JSA claimant rates by gender for April 2011.
Figure 1: Job Seekers Allowance Claimant Rate
Rate as a proportion of the 16-64 population
7
6
5
Blackburn with Darwen
North West
Great Britain
6.3
5.8
5.1
4.5
4
%
4.2
3.7
3
2.7
2
2.5
2.4
1
0
Male
Female
All People
Source: Claimant counts, www.nomisweb.co.uk
Updated: Monthly
3. Trends
The April 2011 claimant rate shows little change when compared to the same month of
the previous year, compared to March 2011 claimants decreased by less than 1% point.
Table 2: Monthly and annual change in claimant rates
Claimant rates by gender:
Claimants April 2011 Monthly change Annual change
Area
N
Rate
+/+/- %
+/+/- %
Male
2,804
6.3
-14
-0.5
-201
-6.7
Female
1,172
2.7
-2
-0.2
184
18.6
Total
3,976
4.5
-16
-0.4
-17
-0.4
Source: Jobcentre Plus, Nomis
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).

The percentage change over the previous month, March 2011, shows a
decrease for all groups of less than 1%.

The annual change shows 7% fewer male claimants but 19% more female
claimants
As illustrated in figure 2, the JSA claimant rate in Blackburn with Darwen has historically
been higher than the North West and Great Britain rate.
Apr-06
Jul-06
Oct-06
Jan-07
Apr-07
Jul-07
Oct-07
Jan-08
Apr-08
Jul-08
Oct-08
Jan-09
Apr-09
Jul-09
Oct-09
Jan-10
Apr-10
Jul-10
Oct-10
Jan-11
Apr-11
0
Source: Claimant counts, www.nomisweb.co.uk
Updated: Monthly
Feb-11
Apr-11
Blackburn with Darwen
North West
Great Britain
1
Oct-10
Dec-10
2
On-Flow
Apr-10
Jun-10
Aug-10
3
Off-Flow
Oct-09
Dec-09
Feb-10
%
Stock
Jun-09
Aug-09
4
5,000
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Dec-08
Feb-09
Apr-09
Rate: % of 16-64 population
5
Aug-08
Oct-08
6
Figure 3: On-flows and Off-flows to Claimant Count
Apr-08
Jun-08
Figure 2: Claimant Rate trends
Source: Claimant counts, www.nomisweb.co.uk
Updated: Monthly
3.1 Short term trends
The trend for the last 12 months for Blackburn with Darwen shows a decreasing claimant
count. However, over the last six months there has been an upturn in the number of
claimants. Whether this is due to seasonal fluctuations or is a consequence of structural
changes in the economy is not clear; whatever the reason, this short-term trend needs to
be monitored especially in wake of the comprehensive spending review and its impact on
public and private sector jobs.
Over the last six months (November 2010 to April 2011) claimant rates for females have
increased by a quarter (24.0%) and for male claimants by 11.2%, the increase in claimants
regardless of gender was 14.7%.
Claimants aged 25-49 rose sharply, increasing by a fifth over the six month period from
1,895 in November 2010 to 2,280 in April 2011. Those aged 50+ increased by 13.3% and 1824 year olds by 5.9% over the same period.
For the 50+ age group, those aged 50-54 experienced an increase in claimants of 20.4%,
those aged 55-59 increased by 2.8%. Claimants aged 60+ increased by 50% from 20 in
November 2010 to 30 by the end of April 2011.
As with the other indicators, in the short term there has been an upturn in the number of
claimants claiming for six months or less, increasing by 10.2%, (2,640 in November 2010 to
2,910 in April 2011). Those claiming for 6-12 months increased by a third and long term
claimants by 15.8%.
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
4. On and off Flows
In April 2011, 1,102 people started claiming JSA, and 1,093 stopped, this equates to
approximately a quarter (26.2%) more people joining and 11.0% more leaving the
claimant count compared to the same month of the previous year. Compared to March
2011, off-flows increased by a quarter (25.6%) while on-flows increased by a fifth (21.5%).
5. Age and duration of job seekers allowance claimants and claims
The graph below trends claimant rate by gender, as can be seen claimant rates for males
is higher than that for females.
JSA Claimants by Gender 2008-11
5,000
All
Male
Female
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
Apr-11
Feb-11
Dec-10
Oct-10
Aug-10
Jun-10
Apr-10
Feb-10
Dec-09
Oct-09
Aug-09
Jun-09
Apr-09
Feb-09
Dec-08
Oct-08
Aug-08
Jun-08
Apr-08
0
However while male claimant rates are higher than that for females, data for the last six
months (November 2010 to April 2011) show claimant rates for all groups to have
increased, female claimants increased by a quarter (24.0%) and male claimants by 11.2%.
the increase in claimants regardless of gender was 14.7%
The graph below shows claimant count figures by gender indexed to January 2006, it can
be seen that female claimant count rate rose sharply after February 2008 and has
increased at a faster rate than that for males and continues to be at a higher level than
for males. It is important to note the sharp increase in female claimants over the last few
months.
Claimant Count Index
(January 06=100)
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
Female
Male
All
Apr-11
Feb-11
Dec-10
Oct-10
Aug-10
Apr-10
Jun-10
Feb-10
Dec-09
Oct-09
Jun-09
Aug-09
Apr-09
Feb-09
Oct-08
Dec-08
Jun-08
Aug-08
Apr-08
Feb-08
Dec-07
Oct-07
Aug-07
Apr-07
Jun-07
Feb-07
Dec-06
Oct-06
Aug-06
Apr-06
Jun-06
Feb-06
0.0
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
The majority of claimants over a half (57.5%) are between the ages of 25-49, i.e. 25-49 year
olds make up the largest category or JSA claimants. The majority of claimants (73.3%)
have been receiving the benefit for 6 months or less. However 330 or approximately 1 in 13
claim for over 12 months and are classed as ‘long term unemployed’.
Table 1: Age and duration of job seekers allowance claimants in Blackburn with Darwen
April 2011.
Age of blackburn with Darwen JSA claimants
Claimants
Annual change
Age
N
%
+/+/- %
Aged 18-24
1,175
29.6%
15
1.3%
Aged 25-49
2,280
57.5%
20
-0.9%
Aged 50+
510
12.9%
-55
-9.7%
Duration of Blackburn with Darwen JSA Claimants
Claimants
Duration
N
%
Up to 6 months
2,910
73.3%
Over 6 months and up to 12 months
730
18.4%
Over 12 months
330
8.3%
+/140
-70
-90
Annual change
+/- %
5.1%
-8.8%
-21.4%
Figures rounded up or down
Source: Claimant counts, www.nomisweb.co.uk
Updated: Monthly
6. Youth unemployment (aged 18-24)
There are currently 1,175 young claimants aged 18-24 (29.6% of all claimants). There has
been a 1.3% increase in claimants in this age range since April 2010. In the same period
25-49 year age group experienced an increase of just under 1% while those aged 50+
increased by approximately 10%.
In the short term (November 2010-April 2011) claimant figures paint a different picture for
the borough, claimants aged 25-49 rose sharply, increasing by a fifth (20.3%) over the six
month period from 1,895 in November 2010 to 2,280 in April 2011. Those aged 50+
increased by 13.3% and 18-24 year olds by 5.9% over the same period.
JSA Claimants by Age 2008-11
2500
18-24
25-49
50+
2000
1500
1000
500
Apr-11
Feb-11
Dec-10
Oct-10
Aug-10
Jun-10
Apr-10
Feb-10
Dec-09
Oct-09
Aug-09
Jun-09
Apr-09
Feb-09
Dec-08
Oct-08
Aug-08
Jun-08
Apr-08
0
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
7. Long term claimants (over 12 months)
People claiming JSA for 12 months or more are classed as long term unemployed. The
number of long term unemployed has shown an upward trend since August 2007 and
peaked in March 2010, it has fallen since showing a shallow downwards trend decreasing
from 11.0% in May 2010 to 7.4% in February 2011. There are currently 330 long term
claimants in Blackburn with Darwen, approximately 1 in 12 of all claimants. Those claiming
for 12 months or more have decreased by a fifth (21.4%) since April 2010.
As with the other indicators, in the short term there has been an upturn in the number of
claimants claiming for six months or less, increasing by 10.2%, (2,640 in November 2010 to
2,910 in April 2011). Those claiming for 6-12 months increased by over a third (36.4%) and
long term claimants by 15.8%.
JSA Claimants by Duration 2008-11
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
<= 6
6-12
12+
1,500
1,000
500
May-11
Mar-11
Jan-11
Nov-10
Sep-10
Jul-10
May-10
Mar-10
Jan-10
Nov-09
Sep-09
Jul-09
May-09
Mar-09
Jan-09
Nov-08
Sep-08
Jul-08
May-08
0
8. Claimants aged 50+
Over 50+ JSA Claimants 2008-11
50+
Aged 60 and ov er
Aged 55-59
Aged 50-54
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
Apr-11
Feb-11
Dec-10
Oct-10
Aug-10
Jun-10
Apr-10
Feb-10
Dec-09
Oct-09
Aug-09
Jun-09
Apr-09
Feb-09
Dec-08
Oct-08
Aug-08
Jun-08
Apr-08
0
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Those aged 50+ make up 1 in 8 of all JSA claimants. Over a half of all 50+ claimants are
aged 50-54 and 36.3% are aged 55-59. In total these two sub-groups make up 94.1% of all
the 50+ claimants. A small minority are aged 60 or over.
JSA Claimants aged 50+
Age
50-54
55-59
60 or over
Claimants
N
%
295
57.8%
185
36.3%
30
5.9%
Annual change
+/+/- %
-50
-21.3%
-5
-14.3
Figures rounded up or down
Source: Claimant counts, www.nomisweb.co.uk
Updated: Monthly
Over the longer term those aged 55-59 experienced a 20% decrease in the number of
claimants compared to April 2010, those aged 60+ decreased by 14%. There was no
change in the claimants aged 50-54.
However, taking a short term view, the last six month period (November 2010-April 2011)
claimants aged 55-59 increased by a fifth, claimants aged 60+ increased by 50% from 20
in November 2010 to 30 by the end of April 2011. Claimant aged 50-54 increased by 3%.
(NB, the percentage change for 60+ is based on small numbers).
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
9. Job seekers allowance claimant rates across Blackburn with Darwen wards.
Rate as a proportion of the population aged 16-64
BwD average=4.5
0.6
East Rural
North Turton with Tockholes 1.2
Livesey with Pleasington 1.4
Beardwood with Lammack 1.4
2.1
1.7
Fernhurst
Roe Lee
0.0
Meadowhead
1.0
Whitehall
3.2
Marsh House
2.6
3.4
4.0
Shear Brow
2.0
Sunnyhurst
4.0
Earcroft
5.0
Little Harwood
4.0
5.2
Higher Croft
3.0
Corporation Park
5.5
Queen's Park
4.0
4.6
5.5
5.9
Ewood
Bastwell
5.9
6.6
Sudell
5.0
Audley
6.7
6.0
Mill Hill
8.1
Shadsworth with Whitebirk
7.0
8.3
8.0
Wensley Fold
9.0
Wards with claimants rate of more than 8%
 Wensley Fold,
 Shadsworth with Whitebirk.
Wards with claimant rates of 5% or more but less than 8%
 Mill Hill,
 Sudell,
 Audley,
 Ewood,
 Bastwell
 Queens Park,
 Higher Croft,
 Little Harwood
Ward claimant rates higher than Blackburn with Darwen average but less than 5%
 Meadowhead
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).
Further information
This briefing was prepared by: Saeed Patel
Research and Intelligence Officer
Corporate Research Joint Intelligence
3rd Floor Old Town Hall
saeed.patel@blackburn.gov.uk
01254 58(5106)
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI).