Merthyr Tydfil has topped the list of local authority areas with the highest proportion of long-term benefit claims over the last two years. Figures from the Department for Works and Pensions revealed 20.7% of the population in the South Wales town claimed benefits. Other local authority areas in the top 10 included Easington (19.8%), Knowsley (18.2%), and Middlesbrough (15.4%). A DWP spokeswoman said the figures did not give an accurate figure of worklessness, since they included figures for incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, income support, bereavement benefits and carer's allowance.
