People with few qualifications, the over 55s and single people are most likely to end up claiming welfare because they have not found a job while on unemployment benefit (ww), according to research by state job centre organisation UWV.

People who lose their jobs are entitled to unemployment benefit for up to three years, after which they may be able to claim welfare (bijstand). Between 2008 and 2013, the number of people transferring from jobless benefit to welfare more than doubled to 31,000.

Overall, 6.5% of the people who claim unemployment benefit end up on welfare – which is only open to people with little in the way of savings or other assets.

There are, however, sharp regional variations. In Rijswijk, Groningen and Zoetermeer, up to 13% of ww claimants end up on welfare benefits.