The UK has a growing dependency on benefits.

Around one in 12 people in Preston receive housing benefit to pay their rent.

More than 10,100 tenants across the city get the payment, at a cost of more than £37m last year alone.

The amount claimed has shot up by £5m from £32m in 2008-09.

The most expensive property paid for was £1,544 a month for a one-bedroom house in supported accommodation.

On average, recipients in Preston get £3,449 a year – £265 a month – towards their rent.

The figures were revealed through a Freedom of Information request to Preston City Council submitted by the Lancashire Evening Post.

These figures have been announced the same week as the government revealed a third of benefit claimants nationally have been on welfare for five years or more.

Around 1.75m people have been getting handouts for at least half a decade; while it has been revealed at least one in 30 Brit’s has never had a job.

Commercial recycler and social welfare charity, Recycling Lives, helps to reduce welfare dependency by offering life changing opportunities; through accommodation, education, training and work experience.

Recycling Lives, helps individuals to gain a work ethic by teaching them new skills and offering the opportunity to gain full time employment with the company or one of its Corporate Partners.