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Claimant Count Summary for April 2020: Released May 20201

In Summary: • The impact of the Coronavirus on the number of claimants has been starting to be seen in April

2020. There were 55,065 claimants aged 16 years and over in April 2020 in the Black Country – this is an increase of 16,790 claimants since March 2020. This increase equates to 43.9% for the Black Country compared to 66.3% growth for England.

• Black Country Ward analysis shows the highest number change between March 2020 and April 2020 for claimants aged 16 years and over was 290 which was experienced in St’ Peter’s (reaching 1,270 claimants), Heath Town (reaching 1,140 claimants) and Ettingshall (reaching 1,080 claimants).

• There were 10,740 youth claimants in the Black Country, this is an increase of 2,990 since March 2020. This equates to an increase of 38.6%, while nationally there was an increase of 58.1%.

• Within the Black Country, the highest number change between March 2020 and April 2020 for claimants aged 16 – 24 years old was in the Tipton Green ward at an additional 70 claimants (reach a total of 195), this is followed by Princes End at 65 more claimants (reaching 205) and Castle and Priory at 60 more claimants (reaching 190).

Claimant count for people aged 16+:

• The Black Country had 55,065 claimants in April 2020, an increase of 43.9% (+16,790) from the previous month, the national increase was 66.3%.

• Within the Black Country, Dudley had 12,875 claimants in April 2020, an increase of 51.2% (+4,360 people) from the previous month. Sandwell had 15,215 claimants, an increase of 41.1% (+4,435 people) since March 2020. Walsall had 12,260 claimants, an increase of 42.5% (+3,655 people) from March 2020 and Wolverhampton had 14,715 claimants, an increase of 41.8% (+4,335 people) over the same period.

April 2016 April 2017 April 2018 April 2019 March 2020

April 2020 % Change

(Apr – Mar) % Change (Apr 20 – Apr 19)

Dudley 5,720 5,900 7,370 7,810 8,515 12,875 51.2% 64.9% Sandwell 7,295 7,310 7,590 8,115 10,780 15,215 41.1% 87.5% Walsall 4,795 5,110 5,130 6,645 8,605 12,260 42.5% 84.5% Wolverhampton 6,685 7,085 7,685 9,095 10,380 14,715 41.8% 61.8% Black Country 24,500 25,405 27,770 31,660 38,275 55,065 43.9% 73.9% England 630,975 662,795 751,250 915,240 1,063,505 1,768,540 66.3% 93.2%

• The Black Country have 23,405 more claimants when compared to the same month from the previous year an increase of 73.9%, this is below the national average increase of 93.2%.

• Within the Black Country, Dudley has 5,065 more claimants when comparing April 2020 to April 2019, this is an increase of 64.9%. Sandwell had 7,100 more claimants (+87.5%) over the same period, Walsall had 5,615 more claimants (+84.5%) and Wolverhampton had 5,620 more claimants (+61.8%).

1 Source: Department of work and pensions, Claimant Count, April 2020

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Ward Analysis

• Out of the 88 wards within the Black Country, 71 are above the national average of 3.9% for the number of claimants as a percentage of residents aged 16+ in April 2020.

• The top six wards that have the highest number of claimants as a percentage of residents aged 16+ in April 2020 are based in Wolverhampton, with the top three being St Peter’s at 10.8%, this is followed by Bushbury South and Low Hill at 9.7% and East Park at 9.6%.

The following map shows at a ward level in the Black Country, claimants as a percentage of residents aged 16+ in April 2020.

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• There has been a notable increase in the number of claimants between March 2020 and April 2020 due to the Impact of the Coronavirus. Within the Black Country, the highest number change between March 2020 and April 2020 for claimants aged 16+ was 290 which was experienced in St’ Peter’s (reaching 1,270 claimants), Heath Town (reaching 1,140 claimants) and Ettingshall (reaching 1,080 claimants).

The following map shows at a ward level in the Black Country, the change in number for claimants aged 16+ between March 2020 and April 2020

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Youth Claimants (Aged 16-24): • There were 10,740 youth claimants in the Black Country an increase of 38.6% (+2,990) from the

previous month, while nationally there was an increase of 58.1%.

• Within the Black Country, Dudley had 2,565 youth claimants in April 2020, an increase of 46.2% (+810 people) from the previous month. Sandwell had 2,915 youth claimants, an increase of 36.9% (+785 people) since March 2020. Walsall had 2,580 youth claimants, an increase of 33.0% (+640 people) from March 2020 and Wolverhampton had 2,680 youth claimants, an increase of 39.2% (+755 people) over the same period.

April 2016 April 2017 April 2018 April 2019 March 2020

April 2020 % Change

(Apr – Mar) % Change (Apr 20 – Apr 19)

Dudley 1,285 1,370 1,520 1,580 1,755 2,565 46.2% 62.3% Sandwell 1,580 1,500 1,560 1,585 2,130 2,915 36.9% 83.9% Walsall 1,095 1,170 1,165 1,445 1,940 2,580 33.0% 78.5% Wolverhampton 1,405 1,515 1,560 1,760 1,925 2,680 39.2% 52.3% Black Country 5,365 5,555 5,805 6,375 7,750 10,740 38.6% 68.5% England 134,500 135,690 143,115 172,530 200,350 316,845 58.1% 83.6%

• The Black Country have 4,365 more youth claimants when compared to the same month from the previous year an increase of 68.5%, this is below the national average increase of 83.6%.

• Within the Black Country, Dudley has 985 more youth claimants when comparing April 2020 to April 2019, this is an increase of 62.3%. Sandwell had 1,330 more youth claimants (+83.9%) over the same period, Walsall had 1,135 more youth claimants (+78.5%) and Wolverhampton had 920 more youth claimants (+52.3%).

Ward Analysis • Out of the 88 wards within the Black Country, 81 are above the national average of 5.3% for the

number of claimants as a percentage of residents aged 16 – 24 years old in April 2020.

• The top three wards that have the highest number of claimants as a percentage of residents aged 16 – 24 years old are in East Park at 14.5%, Princes End at 13.4% and Tipton Green at 12.7%.

The following map shows at a ward level in the Black Country, claimants as a percentage of residents aged 16-24 years old in April 2020.

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• There has also been a notable increase in the number of youth claimants between March 2020 and April 2020 due to the Impact of the Coronavirus. Within the Black Country, the highest number change between March 2020 and April 2020 for claimants aged 16 – 24 years old was in the Tipton Green ward at an additional 70 claimants (reach a total of 195), this is followed by Princes End at 65 more claimants (reaching 205) and Castle and Priory at 60 more claimants (reaching 190).

The following map shows at a ward level in the Black Country, the change in number of claimants aged 16 -24 years old between March 2020 and April 2020.