Home   News   Article

Moray benefits claims figures rise in January





The post-festive season rise in benefits claims has been reflected on the latest year-on-year claimant figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Across all age groups in the Moray Council area, some 1390 people were claiming benefits in the first month of the year compared to the same time in 2024, representing a rise of 155 or 13 per cent.

Overall benefits claims in Moray have risen year-on-year for January. Inset: DWP Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres Jane Munro.
Overall benefits claims in Moray have risen year-on-year for January. Inset: DWP Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres Jane Munro.

Among 18-24-year-olds the increase was slightly higher - 14 per cent - with 30 additional claimants pushing the total to 245.

The biggest jump of all, though, was reserved for the over-50 age category where 300 people were claiming benefits, a rise of 50 or 16 per cent.

In the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey Westminster constituency area, the figures were broadly similar for the overall and over-50 categories. The former rose by 145 to 1415 - an 11 per cent uptick - while an increase of 18 per cent was recorded in the over-50s, an additional 55 being added to the books to bring the new total to 360.

The 18-24s represented far better news, the increase there being five per cent, from 215 to 225.

Meanwhile, over in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency, a much smaller rise of three per cent was noted overall, with 45 more people claiming benefits than in January 2024. The new total stands at 1415.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP.

Claims among 18-24s bucked the trend, with 30 fewer claimants - a drop of 11 per cent - taking January’s figure to 225.

In the over-50s, the new total of 370 represented a rise of 14 per cent, or 45.

Scotland-wide the claims numbers were on the up, with 108,760 - up four per cent or 3875 - on benefits in January. There was a tiny uptick in the 18-24 category, just one per cent or 225, for a new year-on-year tally of 18,665. Finally, the total number of over-50s claiming benefits was 25,040, up 2045 or nine per cent.

The benefits figures represent both those claiming benefits while in work as well as those looking for a job.

Jane Munro, DWP Employer and Partnership Manager for Moray Jobcentres, said: “With spring just around the corner we’re looking forward to helping more jobseekers and local businesses.

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP Picture: Wikimedia Commons
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP Picture: Wikimedia Commons

“For jobseekers our work coaches are geared up to provide the right support to get them job ready, including access to training and voluntary work experience.

“This, along with specialist services through the Disability Employment Advisors, can act as a spring board to a new career. For employers we can host recruitment days and identify suitable applicants to fill their vacancies and we’d encourage them to get in touch to find out more.

“Currently there are vacancies in virtually every sector, whether that’s hospitality or health care. In particular we’re working with Moray Council M.Connect and Tulloch Recruitment to fill their vacancies. Also we’ve organised Sector Based Work Academies for Customer Care/Retail and Grounds Maintenance.

“Perfect Patter Courses continue supporting customers to pave the way to conversational confidence, being able to confidently answer questions and participating in discussions without the fear of forgetting what to say, ultimately learning those hints and tips to present the best version of yourself at interview.

“If you would like to know about these courses, please speak to your work coach about Perfect Patter.

“Follow us @jcpinscotland on X for local vacancies and regular online jobs fairs.

“Jobseekers can search our DWP FindaJob website, to check out the thousands of jobs on offer or follow Moray Works on Facebook.”

Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, noted that too many people were being “locked out” of work opportunities, for example, through disability.

She continued: “Since July wages have continued to grow at pace, putting vital money back in people’s pockets as we work to make work pay and improve living standards for all.

“But these figures also show that too many people are being locked out of work and denied that chance, including those sick and disabled. Instead of writing people off and labelling them, we must step up our support.

“Through our Get Britain Working reforms we are overhauling Jobcentres, guaranteeing every young person the chance to earn or learn and our upcoming Green Paper will bring fundamental change to a broken system that currently pushes people towards welfare instead of work.”

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray MP added: “Having access to well-paid work is a right that should be afforded to all.

“That’s why we’re creating jobs and opportunities through our Plan for Change and truly making work pay to help raise living standards right across the UK.

“We are putting more money in people’s pockets - around 200,000 workers in Scotland are expected to benefit from a direct pay rise due to the increases to the national minimum and national living wages from April. Year-on-year, wages after inflation have grown at the fastest rates in three years since last July - worth an extra £20 a week after inflation.

“Help to find work will be more tailored with our wide-reaching Jobcentre reforms and by encouraging investment, we’re boosting businesses of all sizes to deliver growth.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More