DATA has shown more households in Winchester have at least one adult in work than almost anywhere else in the UK.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed 34,693 Winchester households with one or more residents aged 16 to 64 had at least one person in employment in 2021.

This means, 96 per cent of the city’s households were classed as either working (where all working-age adults are employed) or mixed (at least one working and one unemployed adult).

Following the findings Cllr Lucille Thompson, cabinet member for business and culture, said: “Winchester has seen positive recovery since the pandemic, with the average weekly footfall in Winchester currently 33,462, growing by 9 per cent in the last year. The High Street vacancy rate is almost half of the latest national High Street vacancy rate according to the BRC Vacancy Monitor as of 6 October 2022.

“We believe that these statistics show that the council’s efforts to encourage the profile of our centre and our retail hospitality and leisure centre remains high and provides employment opportunities to residents within the district.”

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Winchester City Council’s Cllr Paula Ferguson, cabinet member for deputy leader and cabinet member for community housing said: “We have recently announced a £200,000 package of measures to help Winchester residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

"This includes an Emergency Grant Fund which will allow partner organisations to provide advice and practical support, such as reducing energy bills, accessing benefits, grants and food, and wellbeing and housing support. As part of this work, we will also be supporting people who are worried about their jobs and their tenancy.”

Meanwhile, across the UK there has been an increase in unemployed households. Last year saw the first national rise in the number of working-age households without an employed adult since 2010, before rising food and energy prices led to soaring inflation this year.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said the rise in workless households is "seriously concerning", especially during the cost-of-living crisis.

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In the UK, the number of households with at least one employed adult fell for the first time since 2010 last year from 86.3 per cent to 85.9 per cent. Of the workless households 34 per cent said they did not work because of sickness or disability.

Rachel Statham, associate director for work and welfare state at the IPPR, said: "We need to see urgent action from our new Government to drive down waiting lists, improve access to employability services for people struggling with health problems, and strengthen social security for those who are unable to work due to ill health or disability, or this trend will result in significant social and economic costs over the long term.”

The Department for Work and Pensions said it has supported 1.3 million people with disabilities into work in the last five years.