By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-06 23:05:51 | Updated at 2026-10-06 23:48:06
47 minutes ago
Britain's welfare bill has surged beyond £133billion with eight of the top 10 largest welfare spending areas leeching more than £500million each from the taxpayer, a new analysis has shown.
The TaxPayers' Alliance has mapped spending on six major benefits - Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Carer's Allowance, and Employment Support Allowance - across all 575 constituencies in England and Wales.
The figure has surged by £26.1billion (24.4 per cent) in just over two years, according to the data aggregated to March 2026.
London and Birmingham dominate the list of highest-spending areas. Six are in the capital and four are in Birmingham.
Nine out of the 10 areas are Labour-held constituencies, while the last - Birmingham Perry Barr - is controlled by independent MP Ayoub Khan.
In total, the analysis found some 54 constituencies have welfare bills exceeding £365million, equivalent to more than £1million for every day of the year.
Universal Credit makes up 57 per cent of the total while PIP accounts for 22 per cent.
To reduce the burden on the public purse, the TaxPayers' Alliance is calling for the two-child limit to be reinstated and for PIP to be means-tested.
It also wants tougher PIP assessments and stricter eligibility rules.
Want to see how your area stacks up? Use the calculator HERE.
Map showing the 10 UK areas claiming the most in benefits 
GB NEWS
1. Tottenham
Tottenham tops the table at £624.9million, the highest bill in the country.
This means a tax bill of £4,730 per resident per year - a 25.6 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 29,078 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £462.5million
In addition, there are 10,640 PIP claimants - 38 per cent of which are awarded for psychiatric conditions
Of the estimated 138,441 population, there are 53,610 benefits claims.
The seat is held by former Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
2. Brent East
Brent East is second on the list at £605.9million.
This means a tax bill of £4,624 per resident per year - a 24.1 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 25,842 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £421.4million.
In addition, there are 5,698 Housing Benefit claimants - totalling £77,673,080.
Of the estimated 137,143 population, there are 48,696 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Dawn Butler.
3. Birmingham Ladywood
Birmingham Ladywood is third on the list at £590.7million, the highest outside London.
This means a tax bill of £3,738 per resident per year.
It also represents a 32 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 33,810 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £372.6million.
In addition, there are 9,023 Housing Benefit claimants - totalling £118,062,467.
Of the estimated 156,258 population, there are 63,189 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Shabana Mahmood.
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4. Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Hackney North and Stoke Newington is fourth on the list at £553.4million.
This means a tax bill of £4,967 per resident per year - a 36.6 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 21,727 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £403million.
In addition, there are 8,319 PIP claimants - 43.7 per cent of which are awarded for psychiatric conditions.
Of the estimated 116,000 population, there are 41,927 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Diane Abbott.
5. Enfield North
Enfield North is fifth on the list at £541.3million.
This means a tax bill of £4,450 per resident per year - a 27.6 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 23,030 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £375.9million.
In addition, there are 10,204 PIP claimants - 5,494 of whom are eligible for a Motability vehicle
Of the estimated 127,513 population, there are 44,860 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Feryal Clark.
6. Queen's Park and Maida Vale
Queen's Park and Maida Vale is sixth on the list at £526million.
This means a tax bill of £4,382 per resident per year.
Some 21,771 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £333.9million.
In addition, there are 7,171 Housing Benefit claimants - totalling £96,556,154.
Of the estimated 113,559 population, there are 46,218 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Georgia Gould.
7. Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Edmonton and Winchmore Hill is seventh on the list at £525.2million.
This means a tax bill of £4,365 per resident per year.
Some 23,346 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £370.4million.
In addition, there are 9,502 PIP claimants - 4,988 of whom are eligible for a Motability vehicle
Of the estimated 125,096 population, there are 43,942 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Kate Osamor.
Spending has risen in every single constituency, according to the report
PA
8. Birmingham Erdington
Birmingham Erdington is eighth on the list at £503.5million.
This means a tax bill of £4,175 per resident per year.
It also represents a 29 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 25,613 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £286million.
In addition, there are 12,696 PIP claimants - 7,062 of whom are eligible for a Motability vehicle
Of the estimated 126,168 population, there are 55,082 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Paulette Hamilton.
9. Birmingham Perry Barr
Birmingham Perry Barr is ninth on the list at £499.9million.
This means a tax bill of £4,175 per resident per year - a 37 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 27,417 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £280million.
In addition, there are 9,020 Housing Benefit claimants - totalling £127,461,037.
Of the estimated 76,350 population, there are 54,096 benefits claims.
The seat is held by independent MP Ayoub Khan, the only non-Labour MP in the top ten.
10. Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North completes the top ten at £472.7million.
This means a tax bill of £3,980 per resident per year, a 35.2 per cent increase since February 2024.
Some 24,994 households claim Universal Credit, landing taxpayers with a bill of £296,254,315.
In addition, there are 12,233 PIP claimants - 41.6 per cent of which are awarded for psychiatric conditions.
Of the estimated 125,440 population, there are 52,731 benefits claims.
The seat is held by Labour MP Liam Byrne.
The gap between areas is stark. Sheffield Hallam represents the lowest bill at £80.8million, meaning Tottenham's welfare bill is almost eight times higher.
Spending has risen in every single constituency, according to the report.
The West Midlands saw the fastest regional growth, at 27.3 per cent.
Want to see how your area stacks up? Use the calculator HERE.
