THE number of people claiming unemployment benefit and universal credit in Barnsley rose slightly to 5,140 last month, latest monthly figures show.

The figure was a 0.4 per cent increase on the previous month, and a 30.1 per cent increase on the same month last year, but a 12.7 per cent drop compared to the same month five years ago.

Changes to the benefit system mean the figures seem inflated since last year, and many of those included in the figure more than a third of the total are in work but claiming universal credit. It includes those who would previously have been on housing benefit or tax credits.