West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 28 29 Number of households on Universal Credit In December 2024, the number of people claiming Universal Credit Health24 in Cumbria was 16,716 or 5.6% of all working age residents (aged 16-64). The number of claimants has risen by 19.3% (+2,703) in the past year compared to overall increase in the number of Universal Credit claimants, which has only risen by 12.3%. Universal Credit Health now makes up 39.4% of all Universal Credit claimants in Cumbria (as of Dec 2024). The rate of Universal Health claimants in Allerdale (6.9%) and Copeland (6.8%) are both higher than the national average of 5.9%.25 It is unclear as to why there has been such a significant increase in Universal Credit Health claims, although some observers points to the Covid-19 pandemic and the impacts of Long-Covid. However, according to research by the Office for National Statistics (2022), between 2019 and 2022, 41% of those who are on longterm sickness from work claim to be experiencing ‘other health problems and disabilities’, and 22% identify ‘mental illness and nervous disorders’ as the reason for their long-term absence from work.26 % Economically inactive with longterm sickness or disability (as % of all people aged 16+) 0.00% - 2.20% 2.21% - 2.99% 2.99% - 3.92% 3.92% - 5.33% 5.34% - 13.54% England: 4.07% Allerdale: 4.77% Copeland: 5.51% 3 Highest Wards Moss Bay and Moorclose: 9.47% Maryport South: 8.44% Kells and Sandwith: 7.30% 3 Lowest Wards: Cockermouth South: 1.89% Bothel and Wharrels: 1.92% Keswick: 2.12% CHILDCARE PROVISION Central to people, especially women, being able to take up jobs is the availability of affordable childcare in the locations it is required and at the times that it is needed. In 2024 new working parent entitlements in England changed the average prices of childcare dramatically. The introduction of the new entitlements in England led to an average decrease of 21.5% for under-twos and 22.7% for two-year-olds.27 However, this is against a backdrop of decreases in the availability of childcare.28 Cumberland Council’s Early Years Strategy (2023-2027) is focusing on expanding Free Entitlement funding; promoting the take up of childcare places across Cumberland; supporting the development of wraparound childcare; exploring possible solutions to recruitment and retention issues across the sector; and ensuring sufficiency of childcare for families of children with SEND.29 Number of childcare places accessible per 100 local children aged 0-7 (2023) 32.91 - 124.49 26.85 - 32.90 22.09 - 26.85 17.48 - 22.08 0.14 - 17.48 England: 24.98 Cumberland: 16.14 3 Wards with lowest number of childcare places accessible per 100 children: Kells and Sandwith: 9.04 Thursby: 9.08 Harrington: 9.63 EDUCATIONAL PARTICIPATION The Education and Skills Act 2008 introduced a requirement for young people to remain in education or training until at least their 18th birthday and a duty on local authorities to encourage, enable and assist young people to participate. The number of young people participating in full time employment or training, apprenticeships or work-based learning is slightly lower in Cumberland (89.9%) than it is in Cumbria (91.3%) and England (92.2%).30 Although 89.9% of young people are participating in education or training until their 18th birthday, one in ten young people are not participating in full time employment, training, apprenticeship or work-based learning, representing a challenge from an economic and human perspective. The proportion of 18 year olds who were accepted into higher education in the UK (through UCAS) was 36.4% in 2024, with figures for the Northwest standing at at 35%.31 In 2022 the higher education participation rate32 by parliamentary constituency ranged from under 30% to 53% and over. In the former parliamentary constituencies of Workington and Copeland the rate was under 30%.33 19 Universal Credit (UC) is a single monthly payment for people in or out of work which replaces existing benefits including Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Due to the phased rollout of Universal Credit, care should be taken when comparing change over time. 20 Labour Market Briefing May 2025: Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, May 2025. 21 Labour Market Briefing May 2025: Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, May 2025.
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