How Many People Claim Benefits in the UK?
Around 24.5 million people claimed at least one DWP benefit in March 2026, and total UK welfare spending is forecast at £333.7 billion in 2025-26. Watch benefits spending tick in real time.
About These Statistics
Around 24.5 million people claimed at least one DWP benefit in March 2026, according to DWP benefit combinations statistics. Total UK welfare spending is forecast at £333.7 billion in 2025-26 — the largest single area of government expenditure. This figure includes the State Pension, which at £146.1 billion in 2025-26 is the single largest benefit.
The State Pension accounts for the largest share of benefits expenditure, at £146.1 billion in 2025-26, paid to about 13.2 million pensioners. Housing Benefit costs about £12.9 billion, and is falling as claimants move onto Universal Credit. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance cost about £36.8 billion. Universal Credit costs about £79.2 billion. Child Benefit costs about £13.4 billion (HMRC).
The number of people claiming disability and health-related benefits has risen significantly in recent years. About 3.9 million people claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in 2025-26, up from 2.2 million in 2019-20. The DWP has introduced reforms to the assessment process amid concerns about both fraud and the exclusion of genuinely disabled people.
Benefits fraud and error costs the taxpayer approximately £8.3 billion per year according to DWP estimates — approximately 2.7% of total benefits expenditure. The DWP spends approximately £2 billion per year on fraud and error detection and prevention. Critics argue this focus on fraud overstates the problem, while defenders argue robust verification protects public funds.
The benefits system has undergone significant reform since 2010, most notably the introduction of Universal Credit to replace six legacy benefits. The two-child limit on child elements, the benefit cap limiting total payments, and changes to housing benefit for under-35s are among the most contested elements of the reformed system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on official UK government data
How many people claim benefits in the UK?
Around 24.5 million people claimed at least one DWP benefit in March 2026, according to DWP statistics. The largest groups are State Pension recipients (about 13.2 million), people on Universal Credit (8.4 million, in 7.2 million households), and Personal Independence Payment claimants (about 3.9 million). Total UK welfare spending is forecast at £333.7 billion in 2025-26.
How much does the UK spend on benefits?
The UK is forecast to spend £333.7 billion on welfare in 2025-26 — the largest single area of government expenditure. The State Pension accounts for the largest share, at £146.1 billion. Universal Credit costs about £79.2 billion. Disability benefits (PIP and DLA) cost about £36.8 billion.
How much benefits fraud is there in the UK?
DWP estimates benefits fraud and error cost approximately £8.3 billion per year — approximately 2.7% of total benefits expenditure. Fraud accounts for approximately £6.4 billion and official error approximately £1.9 billion. Universal Credit has higher fraud rates than legacy benefits due to the complexity of real-time income assessment. The DWP spends approximately £2 billion per year on counter-fraud activity.