Rugby had 2,245 people claiming out-of-work benefits in September, the most since 2021. Claimants aged 16 to 24 rose 19% in a year, to 460.
Rugby borough had 2,245 people claiming out-of-work benefits in September 2026. On the figures as they stand today, that is the highest count since October 2021.
It is 190 more than in September 2025, a rise of 9.2%. The fastest growth was among young people. 460 claimants were aged 16 to 24, up from 385 a year earlier.
The numbers come from the claimant count for September 2026, which the Office for National Statistics published through nomis on Tuesday 20 October. The local figures are labelled official statistics in development and are rounded to the nearest five.
The borough number
- 2,245 claimants in September 2026
- 2.9% of residents aged 16 to 64, unchanged on August
- 3.0% for Warwickshire, 5.4% for the West Midlands and 3.9% for the United Kingdom
- 2,055 a year earlier, in September 2025
Rugby’s rate is still below the county, regional and national figures. The trend is the concern. Over the year, Rugby’s count rose by 9.2%. Warwickshire’s rose by 8.0%, from 10,620 to 11,465, and the UK’s by 2.8%.
Why 2,245 sounds familiar
Last month we reported that Rugby’s August count was 2,245. That was the ONS’s first estimate. It has since been revised down to 2,200.
So September’s 2,245 is a real rise of 45 on the month, not a standstill. We have added a note to the August story with the revised figure.
Revisions like this are normal for the claimant count. Late claims and corrections are added after each first release, so the newest month is always the least certain.
Every September since 2020
Comparing the same month each year removes the seasonal swing. September 2020 was the pandemic peak, at 3,200. The count fell to 1,920 by September 2022. It has drifted up since, and this September is the highest of the last five.
Young people: up 19% in a year
| Age | September 2025 | September 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 24 | 385 | 460 | +75 (+19.5%) |
| 25 to 49 | 1,185 | 1,240 | +55 (+4.6%) |
| 50 and over | 485 | 540 | +55 (+11.3%) |
The 16 to 24 count is the highest in Rugby since July 2021, when it was 470. It rose by 25 between August and September alone.
Rugby is not unusual in Warwickshire on this. The county’s young claimant count rose faster, by 22.9%, from 2,095 to 2,575. Across the UK it rose by 10.6%.
By sex, the year’s rise in Rugby is again weighted towards women. Women claiming rose from 935 to 1,060, an increase of 125. Men rose from 1,115 to 1,185, an increase of 70.
The data does not say why. It counts claims, not the reasons behind them. It also includes some people on Universal Credit who are in low-paid work and required to look for more.
Across Warwickshire
| District | August 2026 (revised) | September 2026 | Rate | September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuneaton and Bedworth | 3,620 | 3,705 | 4.3% | 3,560 |
| North Warwickshire | 1,175 | 1,215 | 3.0% | 1,035 |
| Rugby | 2,200 | 2,245 | 2.9% | 2,055 |
| Warwick | 2,390 | 2,455 | 2.5% | 2,280 |
| Stratford-on-Avon | 1,815 | 1,845 | 2.2% | 1,690 |
All five districts added claimants between August and September. North Warwickshire rose fastest over the year, by 17.4%.
What it means for you
- If you have lost work or your hours have been cut, you can check what you are entitled to and apply for Universal Credit on GOV.UK. The claimant count is made up of people on that benefit and on Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- To talk to someone about a claim or job search, GOV.UK lists how to contact Jobcentre Plus.
- Council tax: if your income has dropped, you may qualify for a reduction. Our council tax bands page explains the borough’s charges.
The ward-level figures for September were not yet available on nomis when we checked on 21 October. The October claimant count is due on Tuesday 17 November.
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