Young adult unemployment has soared in the UK since Labour came to power

THE number of young people claiming unemployment benefits has soared across most of the UK since Labour came to power - even as the overall number of claimants has fallen.

- By RICHARD AULT

An estimated 1.7 million people of all ages were receiving unemployment benefits in October, which is approximately 29,000 more than in September, but 65,000 fewer than a year ago, and 86,000 fewer than when the Labour government took office in July 2024.

These claimant count figures are used to measure and compare unemployment in parliamentary constituencies, which is different to how the national unemployment rate is calculated.

They show that the vast majority of parliamentary constituencies particularly in the North and Scotland have seen a drop in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, or Universal Credit, with a requirement to seek work.

However, while the overall number of claimants of all ages has fallen, unemployment among young adults aged 18 to 24 has increased significantly.

The figures show that in October, there were 323,000 young adult claimants, 7,400 higher than the previous month, 29,000 more than a year earlier, and 37,000 more than at the last election in July 2024.

There are also 89,000 more young people claiming unemployment-related benefits than there were in the last month before the pandemic.