770 claimants get Universal Credit

THE Government says more people are signing-up to the new Universal Credit system, which has been running in Oldham since last April.

The majority of claimants are aged 16-24 — leading the Government to claim this shows the new system’s incentives suit youngsters.

Universal Credit replaces six existing benefits with one monthly payment into the claimant’s bank account.

Oldham’s 770 claimants are the highest number among three North-West boroughs which have been testing the system since last year. Tameside has 620; Wigan 700.