Table 5.3 shows the percentage of the working-age population claiming benefits in Devon, compared to the South West and England, along with trends over time and differences by area deprivation. This reveals that overall benefit claimant levels, young claimants, employment and health-related benefits (Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit) are below regional and national averages. However Devon has proportionately higher levels of benefit clients who are disabled or carers. Significant differences exist between areas of Devon based on area deprivation.
Table 5.3, Percentage of working-age population claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Incapacity Benefit by Devon Local Authority, August 2014
Source: Department of Work and Pensions and Office for National Statistics, 2015
Figures 5.7 to 5.11, Percentage of working-age population claiming benefits by Devon LSOA, 2015
| These maps highlight patterns of benefit claimants across the county:
All benefits – highest levels seen in urban centres and more deprived areas. Young people – highest levels are in deprived urban areas and remote rural areas. Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Incapacity Benefit – highest levels in more deprived areas of Exeter. Higher levels were also seen in Dawlish, Exmouth, Bideford, and rural areas of North and West Devon. Carers – higher levels of benefit claimants who were carers were seen in urban centres and in remote rural areas of North and West Devon. Disabled – higher levels seen in Ilfracombe and in rural areas across Mid Devon, West Devon and Torridge. |
All Benefits
Young People 16-24
ESA and Incapacity Benefit
Carers
Disabled
Source: Department of Work and Pensions and Office for National Statistics, 2015
Figure 5.12 highlights the predominant reasons for claiming health-related benefits in the South West. This highlights that mental and behavioural disorders make up just under half of cases, with musculoskeletal conditions also featuring prominently.
Figure 5.12, Conditions leading to claim of Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit, South West, 2012
Source: Department of Work and Pensions Benefits Dataset, 2012