Liverpool Walton, the constituency with the highest rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants in the UK, has been labelled the nation's "benefits capital" as locals and business owners express frustration over unemployment and a perceived lack of work ethic. Nearly 15,000 working-age residents — around 23% of the working-age population — receive PIP, while 39% of households claim Universal Credit. Approximately 6% of the economically active population claim unemployment-related benefits, placing the area among the top 10 nationwide for benefit claims.
Business owners struggle to find staff
Lindsay Taylor, 47, owner of Roscoes Coffee & Bakery in Clubmoor, opened her business last November with the aim of providing jobs to local young people. However, she says many applicants fail to attend interviews. "To be fair, we’re looking for staff and we’re phoning young people and they’re just not turning up for interviews. People can’t be bothered working. It’s shocking," she told the Daily Express. Taylor, a mother of four who has lived in the area her entire life, believes the area has deteriorated due to a lack of government support. "It’s changed for the bad in my life. It’s just so rundown and not what it used to be. It’s the Government, really, there’s a lack of support," she said.
Residents call for more opportunities
Gwen Tulley, an 84-year-old retiree who has lived in Liverpool Walton her whole life, says there are not enough job opportunities. "I actually think there are a lot of people around here who want to work but can’t get a job. There just aren’t enough job opportunities, and I think that’s one of the biggest problems facing the area," she said. Tulley suggested paying unemployed people to clean up litter and flytipping, which she says has become a major issue. "The area needs more help from the council. They need to get some of these people off the dole who want to work, but can’t get a job, into work. Maybe they could help clean the place up?"
Pubs and shops close as costs rise
High living costs and reduced footfall have forced many pubs and shops to close. John Martin, 64, a regular at The Lingmell Inn on Muirhead Avenue, said the Covid-19 pandemic changed habits. "Covid changed everything for everybody here. People got out of the habit of going out which has had a negative impact," he said. "Pubs around here have closed at a rate of knots over recent years. They can’t survive as no one goes out anymore." Martin called on the government to reduce business rates and alcohol duty, but remains pessimistic. "They make millions and millions from duty and that stems from us. And they’ve got to cut that back to help pubs work, help community centres work. But they never will."
Crime and anti-social behaviour on the rise
Ian and Sue Hughes, lifelong residents, say crime and anti-social behaviour have worsened. Sue, 57, described "terrible litter and anti-social behaviour. You see people throwing rubbish out of their cars on a daily basis. A lot of children hang around the corners and it can be intimidating." Her husband Ian, 59, added: "Anti-social behaviour is an issue. There’s the e-bikes and drug selling all the time. We need more cops around here, definitely." Aidan Kirwin, 68, noted that rival housing estates meet in Croxteth Park to settle disputes, and groups of youths on electric bikes cause chaos. "There needs to be more for the kids to do. You can’t just throw them out of the front door and hope they find somewhere to go. They’re just going to cause trouble."
Businesses hit by theft
Kingsley News and Wines on Kingsley Road has suffered multiple thefts, according to employee Dilini Amarasinghe, who has worked there for six months. "Sometimes, people come in here and grab things. They steal and run out of the shop. It’s mostly younger people — maybe 16 or 17? We’ve got CCTV and cameras to try and catch them. But they still do it." She also noted that business is slow due to costs and inflation. "It’s not that busy for us. The owners are finding it a difficult business to run because of the costs and inflation. It’s hard."
Deprivation and need for investment
Analysis from the UK Parliament Research Briefings ranks Liverpool Walton among the 15 most deprived constituencies in England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation, which considers income, employment, education, health, crime, and living environment. Kyle Humphreys, 25, who has lived in the area for three years, said: "I know a lot of people that live around here and let’s say it’s not the best. It could be a lot better and people think that." Jimmy, 49, who declined to give his surname, called for more investment in health services. "They could definitely invest more on dentists and doctors around here as it’s a big area."
