6.17 Low employment rates are reflected in data on claimants of out-of-work benefits. In August 2008, 15% of the working age population were claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and Incapacity Benefit (IB) compared to 9% in Lancashire and 8% nationally. The vast majority of these are on IB. Educational attainment is generally relatively low among residents - 18% of residents have NVQ Level 4 qualifications compared to 25% in the North West and 28% in England. The town also struggles to attract and retain graduates. Only 10% of the working age population were educated to degree level in 2007, less than half the national figure (20%) and well below the regional average (17%).