Birkenhead in benefits top ten - 20% rely on state

Jun 25 2008 by Matt Hurst, Wirral News Series

Nearly 20% of Birkenhead residents are in receipt of benefits, putting the town into the top ten nationwide.

Experts at The Centre for Cities and the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion compiled the report into English cities amid government targets of getting 80% of the working population into the job.

But in Birkenhead this seems wildly optimistic as 28.9% are not in employment, or almost 25,000 people out of a population of 83,000.

The report is based on figures taken between April and June 2007 and places our near neighbours Liverpool at the top, with 26.1% on benefits and 34.9% out of work.

Kevin Adderley, Wirral Council’s head of strategic development, said: “Wirral’s investment strategy clearly identifies tackling increasing employment rates and the varying levels of skills and economic activity as a priority.”