Nationality at point of National Insurance number registration of DWP working age benefit recipients: data to November 2019
Published 27 August 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/nationality-at-point-of-national-insurance-number-registration-of-dwp-working-age-benefit-recipients-data-to-november-2019/nationality-at-point-of-national-insurance-number-registration-of-dwp-working-age-benefit-recipients-data-to-november-2019
The latest release of these statistics can be found in the collection of National Insurance number allocations statistics.
This annual statistical summary provides a count of claimants receiving one or more Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Working Age (WA) benefits broken down by nationality.
These statistics are sourced by combining the WA benefit combination and National Insurance number (NINo) Registrations to Adult Overseas Nationals datasets. These statistics provide a point-in-time count of all DWP WA benefit claimants at November each year from 2013 to 2019.
These statistics do not include any information regarding benefit claimants of state pension age. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) administered benefits such as Tax Credits and Child Benefit are not included in the statistics.
UK nationals in these statistics are those in receipt of WA benefits who do not appear in the NINo dataset. The NINo registration dataset covers all Non-UK nationals who were allocated a NINo in the period January 1975 to September 2019 and the nationality stated in these statistics is as recorded at the point of NINo registration.
Subsequent to registering for a NINo, people could change citizenship status to become UK nationals. Current citizenship is not accounted for in the production of these statistics.
This publication covers the period to November 2019, prior to the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As such no statistics in this publication have been impacted by the effects of the pandemic.
1. Main stories
7.1 million people claimed at least one DWP-administered WA benefit in November 2019: 5% (340,000) more than in November 2018, the largest increase between reference dates in the number of people claiming WA benefits since the time series began in 2013.
From November 2018 to November 2019 the number of UK nationals claiming WA benefits increased by 4% to 6.1 million, while the number of claimants from Non-UK nationalities increased by 9% to 1 million. For both groups this was the largest year on year increase since November 2013.
Amongst Non-UK nationals, EU nationals claiming WA benefits increased by 12% to 380,000. While the number of Non-EU nationals increased by 7% to 610,000. All world sub-groups saw an increase in the number of WA benefit claimants from November 2018 to November 2019.
In November 2019, 43% of Non-UK WA benefit claimants lived in London, this is a decrease of 4 percentage points from 47% in November 2013.
There is a similar pattern of UK WA benefit claimants across GB regions claiming Housing Benefit (HB) or Universal Credit (UC), whereas for Non-UK claimants there is much more variation across those regions.
London has a much higher proportion of UK and Non-UK WA benefit claimants claiming HB, and the lowest proportion claiming combinations excluding HB or UC.
The most common benefit combination is Universal Credit with the benefit recipient being Out-of-Work (UC(OOW)). Of all WA benefit claimants, 1.1 million (15%) claimed UC(OOW) only. Similarly, 15% of UK WA benefit claimants claimed UC(OOW) only, and 15% of Non-UK WA benefit claimants claimed UC (OOW) only.
Due to the nature UC, which replaced some legacy benefits, some of those now claiming UC were previously only claiming Tax Credits, and so were not counted as claiming DWP WA benefits. The increase in total WA benefit claimants may reflect this, and may also reflect an increase in low pay workers claiming UC as opposed to claiming Tax Credits (which would have been the case previously).
2. What you need to know
This summary contains statistics on the nationality of claims to DWP administered WA benefits, covering the period November 2013 to November 2019.
These statistics are designated as Experimental Statistics.
What can you use these figures for?
The statistics provide:
- the world group area and nationality of a count of individual benefit claimants at a point in time
- the combinations of benefits that are claimed, by world group area and individual nationality
What you cannot use these figures for
The statistics do not give detailed information about:
- the characteristics of overall benefit claimants – for this please see the Quarterly Benefits Release that covers information on Benefit Combination statistics
- the nationality related to individual benefits
- the nationality of claimants that are in the same household but not part of the same benefit claim
Although the nationality of benefit claimants can be calculated from the tables for individual benefits, these are not the official statistics for the nationality of individual benefits. For official statistics on each individual benefit please see the statistics published by DWP grouped by type of benefit.
Methodology
The data presented in this statistical summary represent a point-in-time count of DWP benefit claimants by benefit combination at November each year from 2013 to 2019. Between each time point there could be changes which are not captured by these statistics.
There are methodological differences between individual benefit series in other publications and the benefit combination series published here, which in some cases give rise to differences in the figures themselves. Data is consistent with the benefit combinations data published on Stat Xplore. The official figures for individual benefits should always be used to find out the number of claimants receiving a particular benefit. Further information on methodology, and detail on uses and limitations of the series can be found in background information.
EU groupings used within migration statistics
The following EU groupings are used in the statistics:
- EU15 (these are the original EU members: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden)
- EU8 (these joined the EU in 2004: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia)
- EU2 (these joined the EU in 2007: Romania & Bulgaria)
- EU Other (Croatia, Cyprus and Malta)
For reporting purposes, countries have been grouped into ‘World Areas’ based primarily on geographical location.
Perturbation and Rounding policy
Data provided in the supporting tables published alongside this statistical summary has been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. This perturbation is in line with the perturbation methodology used by Stat Xplore. The figures within this summary have rounded in accordance to the rounding policy as per the table below. All calculations are done prior to rounding. There may be differences when recalculating the figures from data provided in the supporting data tables and within this summary.
| From | To | Rounded to nearest |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1,000 | 10 |
| 1,001 | 10,000 | 100 |
| 10,001 | 100,000 | 1,000 |
| 100,001 | 1,000,000 | 10,000 |
| 1,000,001 | 10,000,000 | 100,000 |
| 10,000,001 | 100,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Nationality
These statistics present the nationality at the point of NINo registration of claimants of DWP WA benefits. Subsequent to registering for a NINo, people could change citizenship status to become UK nationals. Current citizenship is not accounted for in the production of these statistics, as such some claimants who may now be UK nationals may be claiming benefit combinations which would be restricted for Non-UK nationals.
Location
These statistics present geographies based on claimant address at the point of receiving a WA benefit. For Non-UK claimants the address at the point of receiving a WA benefit could differ from their address at the point of NINo registration.
Working Age Benefit Combinations
The benefit combinations covered in this publication are in line with those covered in the benefit combinations statistics and Stat Xplore, as follows:
| Administered by DWP | Universal Credit (UC) | UC(NWR) | Universal Credit with no work requirements | |
| Administered by DWP | UC(OOW) | Universal Credit while out of work | ||
| Administered by DWP | UC(UNK) | Universal Credit with unknown requirements | ||
| Administered by DWP | UC(WRK) | Universal Credit while working | ||
| Administered by DWP | PIP/DLA | |||
| Administered by DWP | DLA | Disability Living Allowance | ||
| Administered by DWP | PIP | Personal Independence Payment | ||
| Administered by DWP | CA | Carer’s Allowance | ||
| Administered by DWP | Incapacity Benefits (INCAP) | ESA | Employment and Support Allowance | |
| Administered by DWP | IB | Incapacity Benefit | ||
| Administered by DWP | IS | Income Support if also claiming IB | ||
| Administered by DWP | SDA | Severe Disablement Allowance | ||
| Administered by DWP | Other DWP Benefits | IS | Income Support except for those also claiming IB | |
| Administered by DWP | JSA | Jobseeker’s Allowance | ||
| Administered by DWP | PC | Pension Credit | ||
| Administered by DWP | WB/BB | BB | Bereavement Benefit | |
| Administered by DWP | WB | Widow’s Benefit | ||
| Administered by Local Authorities on behalf of DWP | HB | Housing Benefit |
For household level benefits (UC and HB), both the main claimant and partner (if applicable) are included in the statistics as separate individuals. This differs from other HB statistical publications, where figures show number of claims regardless of whether for a single person or a couple. An individual is not counted as a benefit claimant if they are a beneficiary of another person’s benefit claim but are not claiming any benefit in their own right. These statistics do not include any information regarding benefit claimants of state pension age. HMRC administered benefits such as Tax Credits and Child Benefit are not included in the statistics.
Universal Credit Rollout
Over the period from 2013 to 2018, there have been major changes to the benefits which WA people can claim. UC was introduced in April 2013 and roll out was complete in December 2018. Transfer on to UC for existing claimants of other benefits is ongoing.
The following benefits are replaced by UC:
- Income-based JSA
- Income Support (IS)
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-related ESA
- Housing Benefit (HB)
- Child Tax Credit
Due to the nature of UC, some of those now claiming UC were previously only claiming Tax Credits, and so were previously not counted as claiming WA benefits. The increase in total WA benefit claimants may reflect this, and may also reflect an increase in low pay workers claiming UC as opposed to claiming Tax Credit (which would have been the case previously). There is no method to differentiate new UC claims due to new individuals to the benefit system, or those moving from legacy benefits to UC.
3. How many people are claiming benefits?
Figure 1: Number of benefit claimants to November 2019
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
7.1 million people claimed at least one DWP administered WA benefit in November 2019: a 5% (340,000) increase from November 2018, the largest increase in the number of people claiming WA benefits since the time series began in 2013.
Figure 2: DWP administered WA benefit claimants in November 2019, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| World Area | Nov 2018 | Nov 2019 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 5,900,000 | 6,100,000 | +250,000 | +4% |
| Non-UK | 920,000 | 1,000,000 | +82,000 | +9% |
| Total | 6,800,000 | 7,100,000 | +340,000 | +5% |
The number of UK and Non-UK DWP administered WA benefit claimants increased between November 2018 and November 2019, the second time there has been a consecutive increase for both UK and Non-UK nationals since the time series began.
From November 2018 to November 2019 the number of UK nationals claiming WA benefits increased by 4% to 6.1 million, while the number of claimants from Non-UK nationalities increased by 9% to 1 million. For both groups this was the largest year on year increase since November 2013.
Non-UK claimants account for 14% of all DWP administered WA benefit claimants in November 2019, the same as in November 2018, but an increase compared to the 12% of all claimants at the beginning of the time series in November 2013.
6.1 million UK nationals were claiming at least one WA benefit in November 2019, 4% more than the 5.9 million who claimed in November 2018 but 2% fewer than the 6.2 million who claimed in November 2013.
1 million Non-UK nationals were claiming at least one WA benefit in November 2019, 9% more than the 920,000 who claimed in November 2018 and 14% more than the 880,000 who claimed in November 2013.
The increase in the total number of UK and Non-UK nationals claiming at least one DWP WA benefit may reflect the movement from HMRC Tax Credits to UC.
4. Where in the world are Non-UK benefit claimants from?
Figure 3: Number of Non-UK benefit claimants to November 2019
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
Figure 4: Non-UK DWP administered WA benefit claimants in November 2019, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| World Area | Nov 2018 | Nov 2019 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 340,000 | 380,000 | +42,000 | +12% |
| Non-EU | 570,000 | 610,000 | +40,000 | +7% |
| Total Non-UK | 920,000 | 1,000,000 | +82,000 | +9% |
The number of EU and Non-EU claimants increased from November 2018 to November 2019. Non-EU claimants remain the majority of Non-UK claimants, accounting for 61% in November 2019. This is 1 percentage point lower than in November 2018, and is the lowest proportion of Non-UK WA benefit claimants since November 2014.
4.1. Long term trends and changes in EU WA benefit Claimants
Figure 5: Number of DWP administered WA benefit claimants by EU subgroups to November 2019
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
The number of EU15 claimants declined slightly from November 2013 to November 2015, and has been increasing since.
The number of EU8 claimants declined from November 2013, with the largest decline between November 2014 and November 2017. The number of claimants began to increase from November 2017.
The number of EU2 claimants has continued to increase since November 2013. This increase has been at a higher rate since November 2017.
Figure 6: DWP administered WA benefit claimants by EU sub-group in November 2019, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| EU sub-group | Nov 2018 | Nov 2019 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU15 | 140,000 | 160,000 | +15,000 | +11% |
| EU8 | 150,000 | 160,000 | +10,000 | +7% |
| EU2 | 49,000 | 66,000 | +16,000 | +33% |
| EU Other | 5,700 | 5,800 | +110 | +2% |
| Total EU | 340,000 | 380,000 | +42,000 | +12% |
In November 2019, there were 380,000 EU nationals claiming WA benefits. Of which:
- 160,000 claimants were EU15 nationals, an increase of 11% since November 2018 – EU15 claimants account for 41% of all Non-UK EU claimants
- 160,000 claimants were EU8 nationals, an increase of 7% since November 2018 – EU8 claimants now account for 41% of all Non-UK EU claimants
- 66,000 claimants were EU2 nationals, an increase of 33% since November 2018 – EU2 claimants now account for 17% of all Non-UK EU claimants
380, 000 EU nationals were claiming at least one DWP administered WA benefit in November 2019. This represents an increase of 12% from November 2018 and an increase of 13% from November 2013. The increase in EU benefit claimants from 2018 to 2019 was driven mostly by the increase in EU2 and EU15 claimants.
4.2. Long term trends and changes in Non-EU WA benefit Claimants
Figure 7: Number of DWP administered WA benefit claimants by Non-EU world areas to November 2019
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
In Figure 7 Non-EU sub-groups with neighbouring geographies have been combined together for ease of view.
The number of benefit claimants from European countries not a part of the EU (Other Europe) declined from November 2013 to November 2016, and has been increasing since.
The number of claimants from Asia has continued to increase since November 2013. This increase has been at a higher rate since November 2017.
The number of benefit claimants from Africa and the Americas declined from November 2013 to November 2017, and has been increasing since.
The number of benefit claimants from Oceania declined from November 2013 to November 2018, and has since increased.
Figure 8a: DWP administered WA benefit claimants by Non-EU world area in November 2019, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| Non-EU world area | Nov 2018 | Nov 2019 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Europe | 44,000 | 47,000 | +2,700 | +6% |
| Asia | 310,000 | 340,000 | +25,000 | +8% |
| Africa | 180,000 | 190,000 | +10,000 | +6% |
| Americas | 35,000 | 37,000 | +1,800 | +5% |
| Oceania | 2,800 | 2,900 | +90 | +3% |
| Total Non-EU | 570,000 | 610,000 | +40,000 | +7% |
Figure 8b: DWP administered WA benefit claimants by Non-EU sub-group in November 2019, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| Non-EU sub-group | Nov 2018 | Nov 2019 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Europe | 44,000 | 47,000 | +2,700 | +6% |
| Middle East and Central Asia | 100,000 | 110,000 | +9,600 | +9% |
| East Asia | 9,100 | 9,400 | +280 | +3% |
| South Asia | 180,000 | 200,000 | +14,000 | +8% |
| South East Asia | 17,000 | 17,000 | +440 | +3% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 140,000 | 150,000 | +6,800 | +5% |
| North Africa | 36,000 | 40,000 | +3,600 | +10% |
| North America | 5,400 | 5,700 | +240 | +4% |
| Central and South America | 29,000 | 31,000 | +1,500 | +5% |
| Oceania | 2,800 | 2,900 | +90 | +3% |
| Total Non-EU | 570,000 | 610,000 | +40,000 | +7% |
In November 2019 there were 610,000 Non-EU WA benefit claimants. Of which:
- 47,000 claimants were Other European nationals, an increase of 6% since November 2018. Other European claimants now account for 8% of all Non-UK Non-EU claimants, the same as in November 2018
- 340,000 claimants were Asian nationals, an increase of 8% since November 2018. Asian claimants now account for 56% of all Non-UK Non-EU claimants, compared to 55% in November 2018
- 190,000 claimants were African nationals, an increase of 6% since November 2018. African claimants now account for 30% of all Non-UK Non-EU claimants, compared to 31% in November 2018
- 37,000 claimants were nationals from the Americas, an increase of 5% since November 2018. Claimants from the Americas account for 6% of all Non-UK Non-EU claimants, the same as in November 2018
- 2,900 claimants were Oceanian nationals, an increase of 3% since November 2018. Oceanian claimants continue to account for less than 1% of Non-EU claimants
610,000 Non-UK claimants from outside the EU received at least one DWP administered WA benefit in November 2019. This represents an increase of 7% from November 2018 and a 16% increase from November 2013. The increase in Non-UK Non-EU benefit claimants from 2018 to 2019 was driven mostly by the increase in claimants from Asia and Africa.
5. What benefits do people claim?
5.1. Top 10 DWP-administered WA benefit combinations
Figure 9: Top 10 DWP administered WA benefit combinations for all claimants in November 2019, by nationality, and percentage of all benefit claimants
| Benefit Combination | All | UK | Non-UK | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Claimants | % of all WA benefit Claimants | Number of Claimants | % of UK WA benefit Claimants | Number of Claimants | % of Non-UK WA benefit Claimants | |
| UC(OOW) | 1,100,000 | 15% | 930,000 | 15% | 150,000 | 15% |
| HB | 820,000 | 11% | 500,000 | 8% | 320,000 | 32% |
| UC(WRK) | 770,000 | 11% | 580,000 | 9% | 190,000 | 19% |
| HB, PIP/DLA, INCAP | 750,000 | 10% | 700,000 | 11% | 50,000 | 5% |
| PIP/DLA, INCAP | 560,000 | 8% | 540,000 | 9% | 18,000 | 2% |
| PIP/DLA | 540,000 | 8% | 510,000 | 8% | 24,000 | 2% |
| CA | 360,000 | 5% | 320,000 | 5% | 37,000 | 4% |
| UC(NWR) | 330,000 | 5% | 290,000 | 5% | 44,000 | 4% |
| HB, INCAP | 290,000 | 4% | 270,000 | 4% | 21,000 | 2% |
| INCAP | 270,000 | 4% | 250,000 | 4% | 18,000 | 2% |
| Total in Top 10 | 5,800,000 | 81% | 4,900,000 | 80% | 870,000 | 87% |
| Not in Top 10 | 1,400,000 | 19% | 1,200,000 | 20% | 130,000 | 13% |
| Total | 7,100,000 | 6,100,000 | 1,000,000 |
The proportions of the various benefit combinations claimed by UK claimants differs to those for Non-UK claimants. For example, when compared to UK claimants, Non-UK claimants claim HB with no other benefits at four times the rate of UK claimants, (32% compared to 8% respectively). Similarly, Non-UK claimants claim UC while Working (UC(WRK)) with no other benefits, at twice the rate of UK claimants, (19% compared to 9%). Further detail for the most popular combinations for UK and Non-UK (broken by EU and Non-EU world areas) claimants is provided below.
The most common benefit combinations claimed by people also vary by region of residence of the claimant. This detailed data can be found in Table 2 of the supporting tables accompanying this release (this table provides the most popular benefit combinations which include 95% of all benefit claimants, broken down by region and world sub-group.)
5.2. What benefits do UK nationals claim?
Figure 10: Top 10 DWP administered WA benefit combinations for UK claimants in November 2019
| Benefit Combination | Claimants | % of Total Claimants |
|---|---|---|
| UC(OOW) | 930,000 | 15% |
| HB, PIP/DLA, INCAP | 700,000 | 11% |
| UC(WRK) | 580,000 | 9% |
| PIP/DLA, INCAP | 540,000 | 9% |
| PIP/DLA | 510,000 | 8% |
| HB | 500,000 | 8% |
| CA | 320,000 | 5% |
| UC(NWR) | 290,000 | 5% |
| HB,I NCAP | 270,000 | 4% |
| INCAP | 250,000 | 4% |
| Total in Top 10 | 4,900,000 | 80% |
| Not in Top 10 | 1,200,000 | 20% |
| Total | 6,100,000 |
Figure 11: Proportion of UK claimants by DWP administered WA benefit combination claimed in November 2019
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
There is a wide range of DWP administered WA benefit combinations claimed by UK nationals. The largest group, with 930,000 individuals in November 2019, claim UC(OOW) and no other benefits. There were 1.8 million UK nationals claiming UC only and a total of 2.2 million UK nationals claiming UC in November 2019. This represents 36% of all UK nationals claiming WA benefits. Some UC claimants may have partners who work or claim other benefits in their own right.
In total 2 million UK nationals claimed HB by itself or with other benefits, 33% of all UK WA benefit claimants. Similarly, some HB claimants may have partners who work or claim other benefits in their own right.
5.3. What DWP administered WA benefits do EU nationals claim?
Figure 12: Top 10 DWP administered WA benefit combinations for EU claimants in November 2019
| Benefit Combination | Claimants | % of Total Claimants |
|---|---|---|
| HB | 120,000 | 33% |
| UC(WRK) | 100,000 | 27% |
| UC(OOW) | 45,000 | 12% |
| UC(NWR) | 18,000 | 5% |
| HB, PIP/DLA, INCAP | 14,000 | 4% |
| CA | 12,000 | 3% |
| PIP/DLA | 10,000 | 3% |
| INCAP | 8,400 | 2% |
| HB, INCAP | 5,900 | 2% |
| HB, CA | 5,400 | 1% |
| Total in Top 10 | 350,000 | 91% |
| Not in Top 10 | 36,000 | 9% |
| Total | 380,000 |
Figure 13: Proportion of EU claimants by DWP administered WA benefit combination claimed in November 2019
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
As for UK nationals, there is a wide range of DWP administered WA benefit combinations claimed by EU nationals. The largest group, of 120,000 individuals in November 2019, claim HB and no other benefits, and a total of 160,000 EU nationals claimed HB, this represents 43% of all EU WA benefit claimants.
In November 2019, 170,000 EU nationals claimed UC with no other WA benefits, and a total of 180,000 EU nationals claimed UC. This represents 46% of EU WA benefit claimants.
When compared to UK claimants, EU claimants are more than 4 times more likely to claim HB with no other benefits, with 33% of EU nationals, compared to only 8% of UK claimants. Similarly, EU claimants are more likely to claim UC with no other benefits, with 43% of EU claimants, compared to 29% of UK claimants.
Of the EU subgroups, EU2 has the highest proportion of WA benefit claimants claiming UC with no other benefit claimants, with 60%, and has the lowest proportion of HB claims, with 33% Although EU2 claimants and UK claimants claim HB at the same rate, 33%, EU2 claimants are more than three times more likely to claim HB with no other benefit, with 30% of EU2 claimants, compared to only 8% of UK claimants.
5.4. What DWP administered WA benefits do Non-EU nationals claim?
Figure 14: Top 10 DWP administered WA benefit combinations for Non-EU claimants in November 2019
| Benefit Combination | Claimants | % of Total Claimants |
|---|---|---|
| HB | 190,000 | 32% |
| UC(OOW) | 100,000 | 17% |
| UC(WRK) | 85,000 | 14% |
| HB, PIP/DLA, INCAP | 35,000 | 6% |
| UC(NWR) | 26,000 | 4% |
| CA | 25,000 | 4% |
| HB, INCAP | 14,000 | 2% |
| PIP/DLA | 13,000 | 2% |
| HB, CA | 13,000 | 2% |
| PIP/DLA,I NCAP | 12,000 | 2% |
| Total in Top 10 | 520,000 | 85% |
| Not in Top 10 | 91,000 | 15% |
| Total | 610,000 |
Figure 15: Proportion of Non-EU claimants by DWP administered WA benefit combination claimed in November 2019
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
The same range of DWP administered WA benefit combinations is claimed by Non-EU nationals as EU nationals. The largest group, 190,000 individuals in November 2019, claim HB and no other benefits. A total of 300,000 Non-EU nationals claimed HB. This represents 49% of all Non-EU WA benefit claimants.
In November 2019, 210,000 Non-EU nationals claimed UC with no other WA benefits, and a total of 240,000 Non-EU nationals claimed UC. This represents 39% of Non-EU WA benefit claimants.
As with EU claimants, Non-EU claimants are almost four times more likely to claim HB with no other benefits than UK claimants, with 32% of Non-EU claimants, compared to only 8% of UK claimants. Non-EU claimants are also more likely to claim UC with no other benefits, with 35% of Non-EU claimants, compared to 29% of UK claimants.
Claimants from Other Europe have the highest proportion of claimants claiming HB, with 59%, and the lowest proportion of UC claims, with only 32%. Claimants from Africa and Other Europe have the lowest proportion of WA benefit claimants not claiming HB or UC, with 8%. Claimants from Oceania claim HB and UC at the same rate as UK nationals, at 33% and 36% respectively. Although Oceanian claimants are two-times more likely to claim HB with no other benefits than UK claimants, with 17% of Oceanian claimants, compared to only 8% of UK claimants. Oceanian claimants are slightly more likely than UK claimants to claim UC with no other benefits, with 32% of Oceanian claimants, compared to 29% of UK claimants.
6. Where do DWP administered WA benefits claimants live?
Figure 16: UK and Non-UK benefit claims in November 2019, by region
| Region | UK | Non-UK | EU | Non-EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 650,000 | 440,000 | 150,000 | 290,000 |
| North West | 850,000 | 93,000 | 31,000 | 60,000 |
| South East | 680,000 | 84,000 | 38,000 | 45,000 |
| West Midlands | 600,000 | 96,000 | 33,000 | 62,000 |
| Scotland | 610,000 | 39,000 | 18,000 | 20,000 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 570,000 | 66,000 | 25,000 | 41,000 |
| East of England | 490,000 | 62,000 | 32,000 | 29,000 |
| South West | 480,000 | 35,000 | 18,000 | 16,000 |
| East Midlands | 440,000 | 50,000 | 24,000 | 26,000 |
| Wales | 380,000 | 19,000 | 7,800 | 11,000 |
| North East | 360,000 | 19,000 | 6,200 | 12,000 |
The regions where the most DWP-administered WA benefit claimants reside are London, the North West and the South East.
London has the highest number of Non-UK WA benefit claimants, with 440,000 representing 43% of all Non-UK benefit claimants. Despite an increase in the number of Non-UK WA benefit claimants, the proportion of Non-UK WA benefit claimants living in London has decreased, from 47% of Non-UK WA benefit claimants in November 2013.
UK WA benefit claimants are less concentrated in where they reside across the country, with the region with the most UK WA benefit claimants being the North West, with 14% (850,000), and the least being the North East, with 6% (360,000). The distribution of UK WA benefit claimants across the country by region has remained stable since the time series began.
Similarly, the distribution of all WA benefit claimants across the country by regions has remained stable since the time series began (this data can be found in Table 1 of the supporting tables accompanying this release).
In every region UK WA benefit claimants make up the majority of WA benefit claimants. In November 2019, in London, 40% of all WA benefit claimants are Non-UK nationals.
In the East of England and South West EU WA benefit claimants outnumber Non-EU WA benefit claimants. For all other regions this is reversed, with Non-EU WA benefit claimants outnumbering EU WA benefit claimants.
Detailed figures at regional level for the number of individuals claiming specific combinations of benefits are available in the supporting tables. supporting tables accompanying this release.
7. What DWP administered WA benefits do people claim by UK region?
Figure 17a: Proportion of UK WA benefit claimants by DWP administered WA benefit combination claimed in November 2019, by region
Source: NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
Figure 17b: Proportion of Non-UK WA benefit claimants by DWP administered WA benefit combination claimed in November 2019, by region
NINo Benefit Combination statistics data tables.
For UK WA benefit claimants most regions claim HB, UC and Other benefits at similar rates, with a HB rate between 30% and 35%, a UC rate between 33% and 40%, and other benefits with a rate between 28% and 31%. However, London has a much higher proportion of HB claimants, with 40% of UK London claimants claiming HB. London also has the lowest proportion of UK claimants not claiming HB or UC, with 24%. East Midlands and Wales have the highest rate of UK claimants not claiming UC or HB with 35%.
For Non-UK WA benefit claimants, rationality has a much larger impact on the rate that different benefits are claimed. For most regions, HB claimed at a rate between 36% and 40%, however in the North East, HB is claimed at only 31%, and in South East and London, HB is claimed at a much higher rate, with 44% and 58% respectively. UC is claimed at a rate between 43% and 53%. However, in London UC is claimed at a much lower rate, 34%, and in the North East UC is claimed at a much higher rate, 58%. Other benefits not including HB or UC are claimed at a rate between 12% and 18% everywhere except for London where they are claimed at a much lower rate, 8%.
8. About these statistics
Status: Experimental Statistics
Users of these statistics are asked to note that the benefit combination statistics are currently an experimental statistical series, which means that they are in the development phase.
National, Official and Experimental Statistics are produced in accordance with Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and the Code of Practice for Statistics. National Statistics status means that official statistics meet the highest standards of:
- trustworthiness
- quality
- public value
Official and Experimental Statistics may be awarded National Statistics status following an assessment by the Office for Statistics Regulation, the regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority. Further information about National, Official and Experimental Statistics status can be found in the Code glossary.
World Areas
For reporting purposes, countries have been grouped into ‘world areas’ based primarily on geographical location. Countries are grouped according to current world area status for the entire back series.
| World Area | Sub Group |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | European Union EU15 (original EU members), European Union EU8 (joined EU in 2004), European Union EU2 (joined EU in 2007), European Union Other |
| Non-European Union (Other Europe) | Other Europe |
| Asia | Middle East and Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia |
| Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa |
| Americas | North America, Central and South America |
| Oceania | Oceania |
Where to find out more
Read previous releases of these statistics.
Read further information for this series; including detail on data sources, uses, quality and limitations of the series.
Read further information note for details on the NINo data and process of allocation.
Read further methodology note for details on the Benefit Combinations data.
Official Statistics for each of the individual benefits in this release can be found for WA benefits.
Read information regarding what benefits Non-UK nationals can receive and benefit restrictions for EEA nationals from 2015.
Read the HMRC publication of the number of Tax Credit recipients.
Enquires and feedback
DWP would like to hear your views on our statistical publications. If you use any of our statistics publications, we would be interested in hearing what you use them for and how well they meet your requirements: Send your comments by email to: stats-consultation@dwp.gov.uk.
Press enquiries should be directed to the DWP Press Office, telephone: 0203 267 5144.
Enquiries about these statistics should be directed by email to:
Producer of this release: mehdi.walji1@dwp.gov.uk
Responsible statistician: yolanda.ruizrodriguez@dwp.gov.uk
ISBN: 978-1-78659-270-5