Copeland Health Profile 2010 - Cumbria County Council

However, jobs need to be sustainable and offer a minimum level of quality that not only
includes a decent living wage but also the opportunities for in-work development.
Figures for 2009/10 (July 09/June10) showed that in Copeland 73.8% of the populations (16
to 64 years) were economically active. This is below the national averaged for Great Britain
of 76.4%. The unemployment rate was 6.8% in Copeland compared with 7.7% nationally.
During 2010 in Copeland, full-time gross weekly pay was £622.
national rates of £471 and £502 respectively.
This is above regional and
Table 7: Benefit claimants
Working age key benefit claimants (May 2010)
Copeland GB
Number % %
Total claimants 7370 16.5 14.7
Job seekers 1390 3.1 3.5
ESA & incapacity benefits 3820 8.5 6.7
Lone parents 680 1.5 1.7
Carers 710 1.6 1.1
Others on income related benefits 200 0.4 0.5
Disabled 480 1.1 1.0
Bereaved 100 0.2 0.2
Source: nomisweb.co.uk
Table 7 shows benefit claimants living in Copeland. In terms of overall claimants; 16.5% of
the working age population of Copeland are in receipt of some form of benefit. This is above
the national average of 14.7%. The employment and support allowance (ESA) has replaced
incapacity benefit and income support. In Copeland 8.5% of the working age population claim
this allowance, this is above the national average of 6.7%.
Fuel Poverty
The number of extra deaths occurring in winter varies depending on temperature, the level of
disease in the population and other factors. These deaths may be partially attributed to the
fact that many people cannot afford to adequately heat their homes (National Energy Action,
2009). A household is said to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its
income on fuel to maintain a satisfactory heating regime (usually 21 degrees for the main
living area and 18 degrees for other occupied rooms). Fuel poverty is caused by the
interaction of a number of factors, but three specifically stand out. These are: energy
efficiency status of the property, cost of energy and household income.
Copeland Health Profile
J Clay
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