5,455 people in Northumberland claimed unemployment benefits in September, up 175 in two months. Last year the same months saw a fall.
The number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits in Northumberland has risen for the second month running. It now stands at its highest since April.
There were 5,455 claimants in September 2026, according to the ONS claimant count published through nomis. Thursday. That is 2.9% of residents aged 16 to 64.
The count has climbed by 175 since July, when it was 5,280. A year ago the same two months went the other way: the count fell from 5,290 in July 2025 to 5,225 in September 2025. So this autumn’s rise is not simply the usual seasonal pattern.
How the county compares
Northumberland’s rate is still well below the region and the country. But it has risen faster over the past year.
| Area | September 2025 | September 2026 | Change | Rate (16-64) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northumberland | 5,225 | 5,455 | +4.4% | 2.9% |
| North East | 61,505 | 63,515 | +3.3% | 3.7% |
| England | 1,456,065 | 1,493,875 | +2.6% | 4.1% |
Young people account for more than half the rise
Claims by people aged 16 to 24 rose from 1,205 to 1,330 over the year, an increase of 10.4%. That is in line with England, where youth claims rose 10.3%, and above the North East’s 8.2%.
By age group, Northumberland’s year-on-year change was:
- 16 to 24: 1,205 to 1,330, up 125
- 25 to 49: 2,780 to 2,835, up 55
- 50 and over: 1,235 to 1,290, up 55
So 125 of the 230 extra claimants are under 25.
Blyth and Ashington wards still top the list
The ONS publishes the count for all 69 Northumberland wards. Ward figures are rounded to the nearest five, so small month-to-month moves are not meaningful.
The seven wards where more than 5% of working-age residents claim are all in Blyth or Ashington:
| Ward | Town | Claimants | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croft | Blyth | 290 | 8.2% |
| Isabella | Blyth | 230 | 7.2% |
| Hirst | Ashington | 220 | 6.2% |
| Newsham | Blyth | 210 | 5.6% |
| Cowpen | Blyth | 190 | 5.5% |
| Ashington Central | Ashington | 170 | 5.2% |
| Wensleydale | Blyth | 140 | 5.1% |
At the other end, four wards are under 1%: Cramlington North (0.7%), South Tynedale (0.7%), Ponteland South with Heddon (0.8%) and Stocksfield and Bywell (0.9%).
Croft’s rate has crept up from 7.9% in July, when we last looked at the ward figures.
A revision to July
The ONS has revised July’s county figure. It was first published as 5,355 and now reads 5,280. Claimant figures are often revised in the months after release, and we use the current figures throughout this article.
What it means for you
- The claimant count covers people on Jobseeker’s Allowance and people on Universal Credit who are required to look for work. It is not the same as the official unemployment rate.
- If you have lost work, the Universal Credit eligibility checker is the first step. You can also ask for a council tax reduction: our guide to council tax support in Northumberland explains how the scheme works.
- The government’s Find a job service lists vacancies across the county, and your local Jobcentre can help with training and job searching.
The next claimant count, for October, is due from the ONS in November.
Have your say