MORE THAN 8,000 people in Swindon are on Universal Credit.

New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions reveal that of the 8,542 households that have applied for support from the simplified benefits system, 7,996 are in payment.

The largest category of applicants is single people with no children (3,601) almost as many are single parents (3,062), while 1,099 are couples with children and 230 are couples without children.

Around 5,300 are receiving housing benefits, 611 are receiving carer benefits, and 1,193 are receiving limited work capability benefits.

Over 184,000 people in the south west are receiving Universal Credit.

Minister for welfare delivery Will Quince said: “Universal Credit is a force for good, delivering personalised support right across the south west and helping people find work.

“The employment rate reached a joint-record high and the jobs market continues to go from strength to strength. I have no doubt that this is due in part to our fantastic jobcentre staff, who work tirelessly to help people build their skills and find jobs.

“For people who want to find work, there’s a wide range of help available in jobcentres, including training courses, CV writing sessions and jobs fairs.”