ONS · 361 councils · year to July 2026
Where did the change in people claiming unemployment-related benefits happen?
Every council’s change in people claiming unemployment-related benefits over one year, and how much of the country’s total movement each one holds. Concentration is a description of where figures moved, not of where anything went right or wrong.
Of the movement in people claiming unemployment-related benefits across 361 local authorities in the year to July 2026, 15.4% happened in the ten councils that moved most, and half of it in 62.
273 councils rose, 84 fell and 4 were unchanged. Adding the changes together gives +22,390; adding their sizes, ignoring direction, gives 55,240. The national series for this measure rose from 1,668,595 in July 2025 to 1,690,970 in July 2026, up 1.3% (22,375), which is published on its own coverage and is not the sum of these councils.
How few councils account for how much
| The councils that moved most | Share of the total movement | Their changes added together |
|---|---|---|
| The single largest | 2.0% | +1,095 |
| The largest 5 | 8.8% | +1,305 |
| The largest 10 | 15.4% | +420 |
| The largest 20 | 26.0% | −970 |
| The largest 50 | 44.7% | +2,620 |
| All 361 compared | 100% | +22,390 |
A share is of the gross movement: each council’s change taken as a size and added up, so a rise of 100 and a fall of 100 contribute 200, not nothing. The right-hand column adds the same councils’ changes with their signs, so the two columns differ wherever those councils moved in both directions.
Every council
| Council | July 2025 | July 2026 | Change | % or points | Share of the movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Edinburgh | 9,130 | 10,225 | +1,095 | +12.0% | 1.98% |
| Leeds | 24,415 | 25,505 | +1,090 | +4.5% | 1.97% |
| Brent | 18,470 | 17,570 | −900 | −4.9% | 1.63% |
| Glasgow City | 21,290 | 22,190 | +900 | +4.2% | 1.63% |
| Leicester | 14,910 | 14,030 | −880 | −5.9% | 1.59% |
| Bradford | 25,070 | 24,255 | −815 | −3.3% | 1.48% |
| Luton | 10,970 | 10,235 | −735 | −6.7% | 1.33% |
| Newham | 21,090 | 20,385 | −705 | −3.3% | 1.28% |
| Wakefield | 7,980 | 8,685 | +705 | +8.8% | 1.28% |
| Coventry | 13,430 | 14,095 | +665 | +5.0% | 1.20% |
| Islington | 9,790 | 9,130 | −660 | −6.7% | 1.19% |
| Derry City and Strabane | 4,480 | 3,845 | −635 | −14.2% | 1.15% |
| Belfast | 9,420 | 8,800 | −620 | −6.6% | 1.12% |
| Waltham Forest | 13,295 | 12,680 | −615 | −4.6% | 1.11% |
| Kingston upon Hull, City of | 9,690 | 9,095 | −595 | −6.1% | 1.08% |
| Cornwall | 9,615 | 10,205 | +590 | +6.1% | 1.07% |
| Aberdeen City | 5,180 | 5,765 | +585 | +11.3% | 1.06% |
| Salford | 9,515 | 10,050 | +535 | +5.6% | 0.97% |
| Cheshire East | 5,465 | 5,990 | +525 | +9.6% | 0.95% |
| Croydon | 17,335 | 16,835 | −500 | −2.9% | 0.91% |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 9,445 | 8,950 | −495 | −5.2% | 0.90% |
| Fife | 7,120 | 7,585 | +465 | +6.5% | 0.84% |
| Wandsworth | 10,450 | 9,990 | −460 | −4.4% | 0.83% |
| Hounslow | 10,665 | 10,230 | −435 | −4.1% | 0.79% |
| Enfield | 15,545 | 15,115 | −430 | −2.8% | 0.78% |
| County Durham | 9,970 | 10,390 | +420 | +4.2% | 0.76% |
| Somerset | 8,310 | 8,725 | +415 | +5.0% | 0.75% |
| Cardiff | 9,670 | 10,065 | +395 | +4.1% | 0.72% |
| Doncaster | 7,965 | 8,360 | +395 | +5.0% | 0.72% |
| North Yorkshire | 7,050 | 7,435 | +385 | +5.5% | 0.70% |
| Haringey | 14,345 | 13,975 | −370 | −2.6% | 0.67% |
| Maidstone | 3,620 | 3,980 | +360 | +9.9% | 0.65% |
| East Lindsey | 2,220 | 2,565 | +345 | +15.5% | 0.62% |
| Thanet | 4,110 | 4,455 | +345 | +8.4% | 0.62% |
| Medway | 7,335 | 7,670 | +335 | +4.6% | 0.61% |
| Merton | 6,960 | 6,655 | −305 | −4.4% | 0.55% |
| Barnet | 13,485 | 13,185 | −300 | −2.2% | 0.54% |
| Tameside | 6,955 | 7,255 | +300 | +4.3% | 0.54% |
| Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon | 3,795 | 3,500 | −295 | −7.8% | 0.53% |
| Plymouth | 5,775 | 6,070 | +295 | +5.1% | 0.53% |
| Dartford | 2,355 | 2,645 | +290 | +12.3% | 0.52% |
| Swansea | 5,075 | 5,365 | +290 | +5.7% | 0.52% |
| Barnsley | 4,785 | 5,070 | +285 | +6.0% | 0.52% |
| Tendring | 3,270 | 3,555 | +285 | +8.7% | 0.52% |
| Renfrewshire | 3,195 | 3,475 | +280 | +8.8% | 0.51% |
| Newry, Mourne and Down | 3,115 | 2,840 | −275 | −8.8% | 0.50% |
| Boston | 1,740 | 2,010 | +270 | +15.5% | 0.49% |
| Swindon | 4,970 | 5,240 | +270 | +5.4% | 0.49% |
| Breckland | 1,965 | 2,230 | +265 | +13.5% | 0.48% |
| Warrington | 3,410 | 3,675 | +265 | +7.8% | 0.48% |
| Brighton and Hove | 8,315 | 8,575 | +260 | +3.1% | 0.47% |
| Dundee City | 3,845 | 4,105 | +260 | +6.8% | 0.47% |
| Ipswich | 3,705 | 3,965 | +260 | +7.0% | 0.47% |
| Arun | 3,295 | 3,550 | +255 | +7.7% | 0.46% |
| Bristol, City of | 12,345 | 12,600 | +255 | +2.1% | 0.46% |
| Aberdeenshire | 2,990 | 3,240 | +250 | +8.4% | 0.45% |
| Cumberland | 3,895 | 4,145 | +250 | +6.4% | 0.45% |
| Fermanagh and Omagh | 1,800 | 1,550 | −250 | −13.9% | 0.45% |
| Harlow | 2,605 | 2,855 | +250 | +9.6% | 0.45% |
| King's Lynn and West Norfolk | 2,445 | 2,695 | +250 | +10.2% | 0.45% |
| Southampton | 7,205 | 7,455 | +250 | +3.5% | 0.45% |
| Causeway Coast and Glens | 2,645 | 2,400 | −245 | −9.3% | 0.44% |
| East Lothian | 1,485 | 1,730 | +245 | +16.5% | 0.44% |
| Newport | 4,515 | 4,760 | +245 | +5.4% | 0.44% |
| Rotherham | 6,425 | 6,180 | −245 | −3.8% | 0.44% |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 5,545 | 5,785 | +240 | +4.3% | 0.43% |
| North Tyneside | 4,125 | 4,365 | +240 | +5.8% | 0.43% |
| Shropshire | 4,420 | 4,660 | +240 | +5.4% | 0.43% |
| Fenland | 2,195 | 2,425 | +230 | +10.5% | 0.42% |
| Camden | 7,595 | 7,370 | −225 | −3.0% | 0.41% |
| North East Lincolnshire | 3,845 | 4,070 | +225 | +5.9% | 0.41% |
| Reigate and Banstead | 1,960 | 2,180 | +220 | +11.2% | 0.40% |
| South Lanarkshire | 5,400 | 5,620 | +220 | +4.1% | 0.40% |
| Chelmsford | 2,945 | 3,160 | +215 | +7.3% | 0.39% |
| Gwynedd | 1,850 | 2,065 | +215 | +11.6% | 0.39% |
| Lewisham | 14,930 | 14,715 | −215 | −1.4% | 0.39% |
| Cheshire West and Chester | 5,655 | 5,865 | +210 | +3.7% | 0.38% |
| Mid and East Antrim | 2,495 | 2,285 | −210 | −8.4% | 0.38% |
| Blackpool | 4,905 | 5,110 | +205 | +4.2% | 0.37% |
| Stratford-on-Avon | 1,635 | 1,840 | +205 | +12.5% | 0.37% |
| Ards and North Down | 2,580 | 2,380 | −200 | −7.8% | 0.36% |
| South Norfolk | 1,780 | 1,980 | +200 | +11.2% | 0.36% |
| Wealden | 2,070 | 2,270 | +200 | +9.7% | 0.36% |
| Hastings | 2,620 | 2,815 | +195 | +7.4% | 0.35% |
| Midlothian | 1,405 | 1,600 | +195 | +13.9% | 0.35% |
| Pembrokeshire | 2,255 | 2,450 | +195 | +8.6% | 0.35% |
| Telford and Wrekin | 4,590 | 4,785 | +195 | +4.2% | 0.35% |
| East Suffolk | 3,730 | 3,920 | +190 | +5.1% | 0.34% |
| Moray | 1,295 | 1,485 | +190 | +14.7% | 0.34% |
| North Ayrshire | 3,150 | 3,340 | +190 | +6.0% | 0.34% |
| Preston | 4,795 | 4,985 | +190 | +4.0% | 0.34% |
| Vale of Glamorgan | 2,460 | 2,650 | +190 | +7.7% | 0.34% |
| West Suffolk | 2,690 | 2,880 | +190 | +7.1% | 0.34% |
| East Riding of Yorkshire | 4,520 | 4,705 | +185 | +4.1% | 0.33% |
| Havant | 2,595 | 2,410 | −185 | −7.1% | 0.33% |
| Highland | 2,985 | 3,170 | +185 | +6.2% | 0.33% |
| Tower Hamlets | 17,445 | 17,260 | −185 | −1.1% | 0.33% |
| West Lothian | 2,960 | 3,145 | +185 | +6.3% | 0.33% |
| Wolverhampton | 11,950 | 11,765 | −185 | −1.5% | 0.33% |
| Braintree | 2,485 | 2,665 | +180 | +7.2% | 0.33% |
| Bridgend | 2,510 | 2,690 | +180 | +7.2% | 0.33% |
| Worthing | 2,110 | 2,290 | +180 | +8.5% | 0.33% |
| Manchester | 25,085 | 25,260 | +175 | +0.7% | 0.32% |
| North Lanarkshire | 6,565 | 6,740 | +175 | +2.7% | 0.32% |
| Rugby | 2,045 | 2,220 | +175 | +8.6% | 0.32% |
| Warwick | 2,220 | 2,395 | +175 | +7.9% | 0.32% |
| Norwich | 4,015 | 4,185 | +170 | +4.2% | 0.31% |
| Stafford | 1,975 | 2,145 | +170 | +8.6% | 0.31% |
| Tunbridge Wells | 1,640 | 1,810 | +170 | +10.4% | 0.31% |
| Oldham | 10,110 | 10,275 | +165 | +1.6% | 0.30% |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 4,615 | 4,780 | +165 | +3.6% | 0.30% |
| Welwyn Hatfield | 2,395 | 2,560 | +165 | +6.9% | 0.30% |
| Central Bedfordshire | 4,950 | 5,110 | +160 | +3.2% | 0.29% |
| Epping Forest | 2,525 | 2,685 | +160 | +6.3% | 0.29% |
| Mid Sussex | 1,815 | 1,975 | +160 | +8.8% | 0.29% |
| Middlesbrough | 4,960 | 5,120 | +160 | +3.2% | 0.29% |
| Stockport | 5,340 | 5,500 | +160 | +3.0% | 0.29% |
| Stockton-on-Tees | 4,745 | 4,905 | +160 | +3.4% | 0.29% |
| Buckinghamshire | 10,835 | 10,680 | −155 | −1.4% | 0.28% |
| Sevenoaks | 1,510 | 1,665 | +155 | +10.3% | 0.28% |
| Wyre | 1,810 | 1,965 | +155 | +8.6% | 0.28% |
| Perth and Kinross | 2,005 | 2,155 | +150 | +7.5% | 0.27% |
| West Lindsey | 1,615 | 1,765 | +150 | +9.3% | 0.27% |
| Basingstoke and Deane | 3,130 | 3,275 | +145 | +4.6% | 0.26% |
| Falkirk | 2,870 | 3,015 | +145 | +5.1% | 0.26% |
| Greenwich | 11,945 | 12,090 | +145 | +1.2% | 0.26% |
| Mid Ulster | 2,150 | 2,005 | −145 | −6.7% | 0.26% |
| Milton Keynes | 8,065 | 7,920 | −145 | −1.8% | 0.26% |
| North Northamptonshire | 7,600 | 7,745 | +145 | +1.9% | 0.26% |
| Tonbridge and Malling | 1,940 | 2,085 | +145 | +7.5% | 0.26% |
| Torbay | 2,560 | 2,705 | +145 | +5.7% | 0.26% |
| Trafford | 4,290 | 4,435 | +145 | +3.4% | 0.26% |
| Barking and Dagenham | 11,715 | 11,575 | −140 | −1.2% | 0.25% |
| Canterbury | 3,110 | 3,250 | +140 | +4.5% | 0.25% |
| East Hertfordshire | 1,790 | 1,930 | +140 | +7.8% | 0.25% |
| Eastbourne | 2,845 | 2,985 | +140 | +4.9% | 0.25% |
| Flintshire | 2,700 | 2,840 | +140 | +5.2% | 0.25% |
| Kirklees | 12,875 | 13,015 | +140 | +1.1% | 0.25% |
| Bassetlaw | 2,265 | 2,400 | +135 | +6.0% | 0.24% |
| Exeter | 1,980 | 2,115 | +135 | +6.8% | 0.24% |
| Solihull | 4,595 | 4,730 | +135 | +2.9% | 0.24% |
| New Forest | 2,125 | 2,255 | +130 | +6.1% | 0.24% |
| Woking | 1,715 | 1,845 | +130 | +7.6% | 0.24% |
| Angus | 2,090 | 2,215 | +125 | +6.0% | 0.23% |
| Bolton | 10,075 | 9,950 | −125 | −1.2% | 0.23% |
| Inverclyde | 1,530 | 1,655 | +125 | +8.2% | 0.23% |
| Redcar and Cleveland | 2,925 | 3,050 | +125 | +4.3% | 0.23% |
| Waverley | 1,400 | 1,525 | +125 | +8.9% | 0.23% |
| Havering | 7,630 | 7,750 | +120 | +1.6% | 0.22% |
| North Norfolk | 1,355 | 1,475 | +120 | +8.9% | 0.22% |
| Nuneaton and Bedworth | 3,545 | 3,665 | +120 | +3.4% | 0.22% |
| Spelthorne | 2,265 | 2,385 | +120 | +5.3% | 0.22% |
| Sunderland | 6,910 | 6,790 | −120 | −1.7% | 0.22% |
| Elmbridge | 1,975 | 2,090 | +115 | +5.8% | 0.21% |
| Halton | 3,370 | 3,485 | +115 | +3.4% | 0.21% |
| Rushmoor | 1,980 | 2,095 | +115 | +5.8% | 0.21% |
| Wiltshire | 6,880 | 6,995 | +115 | +1.7% | 0.21% |
| Wyre Forest | 1,870 | 1,985 | +115 | +6.1% | 0.21% |
| Carmarthenshire | 3,155 | 3,265 | +110 | +3.5% | 0.20% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 1,145 | 1,255 | +110 | +9.6% | 0.20% |
| East Staffordshire | 2,730 | 2,620 | −110 | −4.0% | 0.20% |
| Lewes | 1,945 | 2,055 | +110 | +5.7% | 0.20% |
| Windsor and Maidenhead | 2,410 | 2,520 | +110 | +4.6% | 0.20% |
| Chorley | 1,735 | 1,840 | +105 | +6.1% | 0.19% |
| East Devon | 1,630 | 1,735 | +105 | +6.4% | 0.19% |
| Eastleigh | 1,880 | 1,985 | +105 | +5.6% | 0.19% |
| Lancaster | 2,600 | 2,705 | +105 | +4.0% | 0.19% |
| North East Derbyshire | 1,380 | 1,485 | +105 | +7.6% | 0.19% |
| Portsmouth | 6,505 | 6,400 | −105 | −1.6% | 0.19% |
| Rossendale | 1,655 | 1,760 | +105 | +6.3% | 0.19% |
| South Staffordshire | 1,655 | 1,760 | +105 | +6.3% | 0.19% |
| Stirling | 1,270 | 1,375 | +105 | +8.3% | 0.19% |
| Tewkesbury | 1,340 | 1,445 | +105 | +7.8% | 0.19% |
| Wigan | 7,545 | 7,650 | +105 | +1.4% | 0.19% |
| Antrim and Newtownabbey | 2,120 | 2,020 | −100 | −4.7% | 0.18% |
| Gravesham | 2,995 | 2,895 | −100 | −3.3% | 0.18% |
| Hyndburn | 2,830 | 2,930 | +100 | +3.5% | 0.18% |
| Kensington and Chelsea | 3,665 | 3,565 | −100 | −2.7% | 0.18% |
| Mid Suffolk | 1,200 | 1,300 | +100 | +8.3% | 0.18% |
| North Warwickshire | 1,065 | 1,165 | +100 | +9.4% | 0.18% |
| Oxford | 2,995 | 3,095 | +100 | +3.3% | 0.18% |
| Redbridge | 12,550 | 12,650 | +100 | +0.8% | 0.18% |
| Thurrock | 5,115 | 5,015 | −100 | −2.0% | 0.18% |
| Maldon | 955 | 1,050 | +95 | +9.9% | 0.17% |
| North Somerset | 3,140 | 3,235 | +95 | +3.0% | 0.17% |
| Sefton | 6,200 | 6,295 | +95 | +1.5% | 0.17% |
| South Hams | 970 | 1,065 | +95 | +9.8% | 0.17% |
| Westminster | 6,530 | 6,435 | −95 | −1.5% | 0.17% |
| Argyll and Bute | 1,180 | 1,270 | +90 | +7.6% | 0.16% |
| Derby | 8,595 | 8,685 | +90 | +1.0% | 0.16% |
| Ealing | 17,415 | 17,325 | −90 | −0.5% | 0.16% |
| East Hampshire | 1,490 | 1,580 | +90 | +6.0% | 0.16% |
| Guildford | 1,875 | 1,965 | +90 | +4.8% | 0.16% |
| High Peak | 1,265 | 1,355 | +90 | +7.1% | 0.16% |
| Liverpool | 18,895 | 18,985 | +90 | +0.5% | 0.16% |
| Malvern Hills | 1,030 | 1,120 | +90 | +8.7% | 0.16% |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 1,145 | 1,235 | +90 | +7.9% | 0.16% |
| Peterborough | 7,625 | 7,535 | −90 | −1.2% | 0.16% |
| Powys | 1,885 | 1,975 | +90 | +4.8% | 0.16% |
| Ribble Valley | 600 | 690 | +90 | +15.0% | 0.16% |
| Stroud | 1,510 | 1,600 | +90 | +6.0% | 0.16% |
| Wokingham | 2,195 | 2,285 | +90 | +4.1% | 0.16% |
| Birmingham | 77,395 | 77,310 | −85 | −0.1% | 0.15% |
| Calderdale | 5,430 | 5,515 | +85 | +1.6% | 0.15% |
| Charnwood | 2,790 | 2,875 | +85 | +3.0% | 0.15% |
| Conwy | 2,260 | 2,345 | +85 | +3.8% | 0.15% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 2,285 | 2,370 | +85 | +3.7% | 0.15% |
| Hart | 1,030 | 1,115 | +85 | +8.3% | 0.15% |
| Hertsmere | 2,365 | 2,450 | +85 | +3.6% | 0.15% |
| Lisburn and Castlereagh | 1,850 | 1,765 | −85 | −4.6% | 0.15% |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | 2,390 | 2,305 | −85 | −3.6% | 0.15% |
| North Hertfordshire | 1,920 | 2,005 | +85 | +4.4% | 0.15% |
| Rother | 1,535 | 1,620 | +85 | +5.5% | 0.15% |
| Runnymede | 1,425 | 1,510 | +85 | +6.0% | 0.15% |
| Surrey Heath | 1,265 | 1,350 | +85 | +6.7% | 0.15% |
| Walsall | 10,635 | 10,720 | +85 | +0.8% | 0.15% |
| Bedford | 5,265 | 5,345 | +80 | +1.5% | 0.14% |
| Broxbourne | 2,085 | 2,165 | +80 | +3.8% | 0.14% |
| Caerphilly | 3,600 | 3,680 | +80 | +2.2% | 0.14% |
| Sheffield | 16,635 | 16,715 | +80 | +0.5% | 0.14% |
| South Oxfordshire | 1,720 | 1,800 | +80 | +4.7% | 0.14% |
| South Ribble | 1,665 | 1,745 | +80 | +4.8% | 0.14% |
| Wirral | 6,935 | 6,855 | −80 | −1.2% | 0.14% |
| Adur | 1,130 | 1,205 | +75 | +6.6% | 0.14% |
| Melton | 965 | 890 | −75 | −7.8% | 0.14% |
| Sandwell | 15,020 | 14,945 | −75 | −0.5% | 0.14% |
| Tandridge | 1,360 | 1,435 | +75 | +5.5% | 0.14% |
| Broxtowe | 2,035 | 2,105 | +70 | +3.4% | 0.13% |
| Bury | 5,200 | 5,270 | +70 | +1.3% | 0.13% |
| Cherwell | 2,545 | 2,475 | −70 | −2.8% | 0.13% |
| East Cambridgeshire | 1,130 | 1,200 | +70 | +6.2% | 0.13% |
| Folkestone and Hythe | 2,425 | 2,495 | +70 | +2.9% | 0.13% |
| Gloucester | 3,095 | 3,165 | +70 | +2.3% | 0.13% |
| Mansfield | 2,670 | 2,740 | +70 | +2.6% | 0.13% |
| South Tyneside | 4,290 | 4,360 | +70 | +1.6% | 0.13% |
| Southwark | 13,280 | 13,350 | +70 | +0.5% | 0.13% |
| St Albans | 2,155 | 2,225 | +70 | +3.2% | 0.13% |
| West Northamptonshire | 9,455 | 9,385 | −70 | −0.7% | 0.13% |
| Ashford | 2,485 | 2,550 | +65 | +2.6% | 0.12% |
| East Renfrewshire | 940 | 1,005 | +65 | +6.9% | 0.12% |
| Erewash | 2,425 | 2,360 | −65 | −2.7% | 0.12% |
| Gosport | 1,715 | 1,780 | +65 | +3.8% | 0.12% |
| Hackney | 13,705 | 13,640 | −65 | −0.5% | 0.12% |
| North Kesteven | 1,450 | 1,515 | +65 | +4.5% | 0.12% |
| Northumberland | 5,290 | 5,355 | +65 | +1.2% | 0.12% |
| Swale | 3,300 | 3,365 | +65 | +2.0% | 0.12% |
| Basildon | 4,560 | 4,620 | +60 | +1.3% | 0.11% |
| Colchester | 3,800 | 3,860 | +60 | +1.6% | 0.11% |
| Crawley | 3,580 | 3,640 | +60 | +1.7% | 0.11% |
| Dorset | 4,855 | 4,915 | +60 | +1.2% | 0.11% |
| Fareham | 1,295 | 1,355 | +60 | +4.6% | 0.11% |
| Fylde | 1,255 | 1,315 | +60 | +4.8% | 0.11% |
| Gedling | 2,285 | 2,345 | +60 | +2.6% | 0.11% |
| Kingston upon Thames | 3,755 | 3,695 | −60 | −1.6% | 0.11% |
| Reading | 5,450 | 5,390 | −60 | −1.1% | 0.11% |
| Teignbridge | 1,645 | 1,705 | +60 | +3.6% | 0.11% |
| Bath and North East Somerset | 2,390 | 2,445 | +55 | +2.3% | 0.10% |
| Blaby | 1,415 | 1,470 | +55 | +3.9% | 0.10% |
| Bracknell Forest | 2,260 | 2,315 | +55 | +2.4% | 0.10% |
| Cotswold | 1,025 | 1,080 | +55 | +5.4% | 0.10% |
| Great Yarmouth | 2,675 | 2,730 | +55 | +2.1% | 0.10% |
| Knowsley | 4,395 | 4,340 | −55 | −1.3% | 0.10% |
| South Derbyshire | 1,665 | 1,720 | +55 | +3.3% | 0.10% |
| West Berkshire | 2,340 | 2,395 | +55 | +2.4% | 0.10% |
| Bromsgrove | 1,470 | 1,520 | +50 | +3.4% | 0.09% |
| Newark and Sherwood | 2,085 | 2,135 | +50 | +2.4% | 0.09% |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 8,730 | 8,780 | +50 | +0.6% | 0.09% |
| Richmond upon Thames | 3,225 | 3,275 | +50 | +1.6% | 0.09% |
| Rochdale | 8,680 | 8,630 | −50 | −0.6% | 0.09% |
| Rochford | 1,180 | 1,230 | +50 | +4.2% | 0.09% |
| Watford | 3,170 | 3,220 | +50 | +1.6% | 0.09% |
| West Devon | 670 | 720 | +50 | +7.5% | 0.09% |
| Winchester | 1,635 | 1,685 | +50 | +3.1% | 0.09% |
| Burnley | 3,370 | 3,415 | +45 | +1.3% | 0.08% |
| Castle Point | 1,260 | 1,305 | +45 | +3.6% | 0.08% |
| Ceredigion | 1,065 | 1,110 | +45 | +4.2% | 0.08% |
| North Lincolnshire | 3,515 | 3,560 | +45 | +1.3% | 0.08% |
| South Ayrshire | 2,070 | 2,025 | −45 | −2.2% | 0.08% |
| Uttlesford | 1,095 | 1,140 | +45 | +4.1% | 0.08% |
| Amber Valley | 2,025 | 2,065 | +40 | +2.0% | 0.07% |
| Ashfield | 3,050 | 3,010 | −40 | −1.3% | 0.07% |
| Cambridge | 2,280 | 2,240 | −40 | −1.8% | 0.07% |
| Dover | 2,275 | 2,315 | +40 | +1.8% | 0.07% |
| Dudley | 9,250 | 9,290 | +40 | +0.4% | 0.07% |
| Epsom and Ewell | 1,055 | 1,095 | +40 | +3.8% | 0.07% |
| Harrow | 8,530 | 8,490 | −40 | −0.5% | 0.07% |
| Hartlepool | 2,665 | 2,705 | +40 | +1.5% | 0.07% |
| South Cambridgeshire | 1,980 | 2,020 | +40 | +2.0% | 0.07% |
| Staffordshire Moorlands | 1,220 | 1,180 | −40 | −3.3% | 0.07% |
| West Oxfordshire | 1,310 | 1,350 | +40 | +3.1% | 0.07% |
| Westmorland and Furness | 2,450 | 2,410 | −40 | −1.6% | 0.07% |
| Bexley | 5,600 | 5,635 | +35 | +0.6% | 0.06% |
| Bolsover | 1,480 | 1,515 | +35 | +2.4% | 0.06% |
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | 8,535 | 8,570 | +35 | +0.4% | 0.06% |
| Broadland | 1,600 | 1,635 | +35 | +2.2% | 0.06% |
| Chichester | 2,280 | 2,315 | +35 | +1.5% | 0.06% |
| Huntingdonshire | 2,665 | 2,700 | +35 | +1.3% | 0.06% |
| Isle of Anglesey | 1,330 | 1,365 | +35 | +2.6% | 0.06% |
| Mole Valley | 960 | 995 | +35 | +3.6% | 0.06% |
| Rushcliffe | 1,475 | 1,510 | +35 | +2.4% | 0.06% |
| Slough | 6,540 | 6,575 | +35 | +0.5% | 0.06% |
| Southend-on-Sea | 4,740 | 4,775 | +35 | +0.7% | 0.06% |
| Test Valley | 1,570 | 1,605 | +35 | +2.2% | 0.06% |
| Torridge | 1,000 | 1,035 | +35 | +3.5% | 0.06% |
| Babergh | 1,325 | 1,355 | +30 | +2.3% | 0.05% |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | 6,670 | 6,700 | +30 | +0.4% | 0.05% |
| Horsham | 1,695 | 1,725 | +30 | +1.8% | 0.05% |
| Lincoln | 2,715 | 2,745 | +30 | +1.1% | 0.05% |
| Mid Devon | 1,090 | 1,120 | +30 | +2.8% | 0.05% |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar | 270 | 300 | +30 | +11.1% | 0.05% |
| Pendle | 3,495 | 3,465 | −30 | −0.9% | 0.05% |
| Wychavon | 2,045 | 2,015 | −30 | −1.5% | 0.05% |
| Brentwood | 1,190 | 1,215 | +25 | +2.1% | 0.05% |
| Cheltenham | 2,120 | 2,145 | +25 | +1.2% | 0.05% |
| Redditch | 2,100 | 2,075 | −25 | −1.2% | 0.05% |
| Shetland Islands | 150 | 175 | +25 | +16.7% | 0.05% |
| South Kesteven | 2,395 | 2,420 | +25 | +1.0% | 0.05% |
| Sutton | 4,760 | 4,735 | −25 | −0.5% | 0.05% |
| Torfaen | 2,030 | 2,055 | +25 | +1.2% | 0.05% |
| Cannock Chase | 1,950 | 1,970 | +20 | +1.0% | 0.04% |
| Chesterfield | 2,215 | 2,195 | −20 | −0.9% | 0.04% |
| Clackmannanshire | 960 | 980 | +20 | +2.1% | 0.04% |
| Derbyshire Dales | 755 | 735 | −20 | −2.6% | 0.04% |
| Hillingdon | 10,800 | 10,820 | +20 | +0.2% | 0.04% |
| North Devon | 1,580 | 1,560 | −20 | −1.3% | 0.04% |
| Three Rivers | 1,620 | 1,600 | −20 | −1.2% | 0.04% |
| West Lancashire | 2,065 | 2,045 | −20 | −1.0% | 0.04% |
| Denbighshire | 1,980 | 1,995 | +15 | +0.8% | 0.03% |
| East Ayrshire | 2,685 | 2,700 | +15 | +0.6% | 0.03% |
| Herefordshire, County of | 2,845 | 2,860 | +15 | +0.5% | 0.03% |
| Isle of Wight | 2,885 | 2,900 | +15 | +0.5% | 0.03% |
| Lambeth | 15,080 | 15,065 | −15 | −0.1% | 0.03% |
| Neath Port Talbot | 2,760 | 2,745 | −15 | −0.5% | 0.03% |
| North West Leicestershire | 1,410 | 1,395 | −15 | −1.1% | 0.03% |
| Oadby and Wigston | 1,090 | 1,105 | +15 | +1.4% | 0.03% |
| Rutland | 430 | 445 | +15 | +3.5% | 0.03% |
| Scottish Borders | 1,895 | 1,910 | +15 | +0.8% | 0.03% |
| St. Helens | 4,320 | 4,335 | +15 | +0.3% | 0.03% |
| Vale of White Horse | 1,855 | 1,840 | −15 | −0.8% | 0.03% |
| Wrexham | 2,490 | 2,505 | +15 | +0.6% | 0.03% |
| Blaenau Gwent | 1,620 | 1,610 | −10 | −0.6% | 0.02% |
| City of London | 140 | 150 | +10 | +7.1% | 0.02% |
| Forest of Dean | 1,325 | 1,315 | −10 | −0.8% | 0.02% |
| Gateshead | 5,025 | 5,035 | +10 | +0.2% | 0.02% |
| Isles of Scilly | 10 | 20 | +10 | +100.0% | 0.02% |
| Nottingham | 13,845 | 13,855 | +10 | +0.1% | 0.02% |
| Orkney Islands | 200 | 210 | +10 | +5.0% | 0.02% |
| Tamworth | 1,595 | 1,605 | +10 | +0.6% | 0.02% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 2,065 | 2,075 | +10 | +0.5% | 0.02% |
| Bromley | 7,325 | 7,320 | −5 | −0.1% | 0.01% |
| Dacorum | 3,195 | 3,190 | −5 | −0.2% | 0.01% |
| Darlington | 2,475 | 2,480 | +5 | +0.2% | 0.01% |
| Harborough | 1,055 | 1,050 | −5 | −0.5% | 0.01% |
| Lichfield | 1,510 | 1,505 | −5 | −0.3% | 0.01% |
| Monmouthshire | 1,250 | 1,255 | +5 | +0.4% | 0.01% |
| South Gloucestershire | 3,955 | 3,960 | +5 | +0.1% | 0.01% |
| York | 2,520 | 2,525 | +5 | +0.2% | 0.01% |
| Hinckley and Bosworth | 1,695 | 1,695 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| South Holland | 1,775 | 1,775 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Stevenage | 2,040 | 2,040 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Worcester | 2,320 | 2,320 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
What this establishes
It establishes how much of one year’s movement in these published figures sits in how few councils, and which councils those are. It does not establish why any council moved, and a large share is not a finding about a council: the councils with the largest populations and budgets hold the largest shares of most totals, in both directions.
Each council’s change is its own newest figure against its own figure a year earlier by period end; a council without both is listed with the reason and is left out of the shares. Councils that publish on different schedules therefore appear against slightly different periods, which the row states.
Of the movement in people claiming unemployment-related benefits across 361 local authorities in the year to July 2026, 15.4% happened in the ten councils that moved most, and half of it in 62.