A total of 5,610 households were claiming universal credit at the end of March.

According to Inside Housing:

Statistics published by the Department for Work and Pensions today showed 6,550 households started claiming the new benefit in 2013/14, with  5,610 claiming at the end of March. Universal credit combines a number of existing benefits, including housing benefit, into one monthly payment.

The statistics showed 70 per cent of claimants were men while six out of 10 were under 25 years of age. The benefit has been rolled out in selected areas of the country for new claimants with ‘simple claims’- people who are single with no disabilities or children. Some of the existing 10 universal credit areas are expected to start accepting new claims from couples later in the summer.

It is being rolled out across the country gradually in phases with most claimants expected to be claiming universal credit by the end of 2017.