WORK is not paying for many Warrington people – and that has led to a 79 per cent increase in the number of people claiming housing benefit even though they are working.
This is claimed by Nick Bent, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South.
Overall, the number of housing benefit claimants has risen by three per cent.
Mr Bent (pictured) says the figures are clear evidence that many Warrington people who work hard and want to get on in life are having to take part time jobs, low paid jobs or even zero-hours contracts.
In Warrington in May 2010 there were 12,735 people claiming housing benefit, but the figure in August last year – the most recent figures available – has risen to 13,164 – an increase of 3 per cent.
In May 2010, 1,635 claimants of housing benefit were in work but by August last year this had risen to 2,926 – a huge 79 per cent increase. Across the North West, the increase was 70 per cent and across England as a whole the increase was 66 per cent.
Mr Bent said: “Warrington needs a stronger and fairer economic recovery with more high-skilled jobs and better wages so that working people don’t have to rely on housing benefit, and that is what Labour’s plan for economic growth will deliver.”
Work not paying, says election candidate
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