Official figures show 7.3 million working-age adults aged 20 to 64 in England and Wales were receiving Universal Credit in May, equivalent to 20.3 per cent of that population. The TaxPayers’ Alliance says the figures raise concerns about long-term welfare dependency, while the government faces political opposition to reducing benefit spending.

The highest proportions were recorded in Blackpool, at 35.2 per cent, Birmingham at 33.9 per cent and Enfield at 32.6 per cent. Across England, Scotland and Wales, there were 8.5 million Universal Credit claimants, with annual spending exceeding £80 billion; meanwhile, 4.1 million people claim Personal Independence Payment, whose cost is projected to reach £45 billion by 2030.