Unemployment higher among young people across the Black Country than a year ago, figures show

In Sandwell 15,075 people, 3,155 of whom were aged 18 to 24, were claiming work related benefits in November 2025, figures shared by the Department for Work and Pensions show.

The number of young people claiming benefits was 11 per cent higher than the same time last year.

In Dudley the figure was up nine per cent year on year with 2,080 young people claiming work-related benefits this November - 180 more than last year - in an area with 9,350 people of all ages listed as claimants.

Walsall had a claimant count of 10,425 overall, 2,440 of whom were aged 18 to 24 (five per cent higher than last year).

In Wolverhampton 11,760 people were claiming work related benefits in November, 2,380 of them young people aged 18 to 24 (one per cent higher than last year).

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said the Government is investing £1.5 billion to deliver 50,000 apprenticeships and 350,000 new workplace opportunities for young people - to give them experience and a foot in the door to help them get jobs - and he said of the figures published on Tuesday (December 16): “To go further and tackle the deep-rooted issues of our labour market, Alan Milburn is also leading an investigation into the whole issue of young people inactivity and work.”

Overall the number of claimants was down in all four boroughs: by four per cent in Sandwell, five per cent in Dudley, seven per cent in Walsall and nine per cent in Wolverhampton.

There were also fewer people over 50 claiming work-related benefits in November compared to the same period last year: seven per cent less in Sandwell, eight per cent less in Dudley, 10 per cent less in Walsall and 11 per cent less in Wolverhampton.

The DWP's Samantha McLean, Black Country and Coventry DEA leader, said of the figures: “This week’s employment statistics highlights all the great work being done by work coaches within Jobcentres across the Black Country. 

“Of particular success is the 50-plus age group, where more than 800 people have returned to work, 245 of those being from the Walsall area.”