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Claimant count

Number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits — a timelier monthly proxy for labour market conditions than the unemployment rate.

1.7m
+1.9% vs 2026-04

As of 2026-05

Historical trend

About this indicator

Source
ONS/ DWP
Update frequency
Monthly
Last updated
22 June 2026
Licence
OGL v3
Direction
↑ Rising

Statistics

Latest
1.7m
Period high
1.7m
Period low
1.7m
Period average
1.7m