Slight drop in working-age benefit claimants

The number of people claiming working-age benefits for at least three of the last four years has fallen slightly to 2.28 million.

Figures published by the Government showed a 0.3% reduction, or 92,000, on a year ago, and 1.2%, or 183,000, down on 2006.

Employment Minister Priti Patel said: "Helping people off benefits and into work is at the heart of our long-term economic plan, and these latest figures show the number of people spending long periods on benefits is falling.

"The number of people who spent three out of the last four years on at least one of the main working-age benefits is now at its lowest level since 2006."