Who Gets What

Compare local authorities · South East and East of England

Reading and Southend-on-Sea

182,809 and 184,503 residents (mid-2024).

Reading is higher than Southend-on-Sea on 5 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 3 of 22 per resident and 3 of 22 in total.

On 2 of 22 measures, which area is higher depends on whether you count per person or in total. Choose a way of counting below to see each one.

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Reading and Southend-on-Sea on a map of the local authorities of Great Britain
How to count
Prices

Money in 2026-27 prices, adjusted for inflation so that years can be compared2026-27 prices, using CPI inflation, adjusted for inflation so that years can be comparedcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.

Per person in the age group

Reading is higher on 5 of 22 measures, and Southend-on-Sea on 17. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Reading Southend-on-Sea

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Reading £3,289, Southend-on-Sea £4,822Southend-on-Sea: £4,822Reading: £3,289Southend-on-Sea: £4,843Reading: £3,303Southend-on-Sea: £4,574Reading: £3,120

    £3,289£3,303£3,120Southend-on-Sea is higher£4,822£4,843£4,574

  2. Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Reading £12,426, Southend-on-Sea £12,934Southend-on-Sea: £12,934Reading: £12,426Southend-on-Sea: £12,989Reading: £12,479Southend-on-Sea: £12,268Reading: £11,786

    £12,426£12,479£11,786Southend-on-Sea is higher£12,934£12,989£12,268

  3. Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Reading £1,764, Southend-on-Sea £2,502Southend-on-Sea: £2,502Reading: £1,764Southend-on-Sea: £2,513Reading: £1,772Southend-on-Sea: £2,373Reading: £1,673

    £1,764£1,772£1,673Southend-on-Sea is higher£2,502£2,513£2,373

  4. State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Reading £10,862, Southend-on-Sea £11,509Southend-on-Sea: £11,509Reading: £10,862Southend-on-Sea: £11,558Reading: £10,909Southend-on-Sea: £10,916Reading: £10,303

    £10,862£10,909£10,303Southend-on-Sea is higher£11,509£11,558£10,916

  5. Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Reading £921, Southend-on-Sea £546Southend-on-Sea: £546Reading: £921Southend-on-Sea: £548Reading: £925Southend-on-Sea: £518Reading: £874

    £921£925£874Reading is higher£546£548£518

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Reading £606, Southend-on-Sea £848Southend-on-Sea: £848Reading: £606Southend-on-Sea: £851Reading: £608Southend-on-Sea: £804Reading: £575

    £606£608£575Southend-on-Sea is higher£848£851£804

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Reading £36, Southend-on-Sea £32Southend-on-Sea: £32Reading: £36Southend-on-Sea: £32Reading: £36Southend-on-Sea: £30Reading: £34

    £36£36£34Reading is higherDepends on how you count£32£32£30

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Reading £279, Southend-on-Sea £438Southend-on-Sea: £438Reading: £279Southend-on-Sea: £440Reading: £280Southend-on-Sea: £415Reading: £265

    £279£280£265Southend-on-Sea is higher£438£440£415

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Reading £113, Southend-on-Sea £149Southend-on-Sea: £149Reading: £113Southend-on-Sea: £149Reading: £113Southend-on-Sea: £141Reading: £107

    £113£113£107Southend-on-Sea is higher£149£149£141

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per person aged 16 to 64: Reading £75, Southend-on-Sea £120Southend-on-Sea: £120Reading: £75Southend-on-Sea: £120Reading: £75Southend-on-Sea: £114Reading: £71

    £75£75£71Southend-on-Sea is higher£120£120£114

  11. Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Reading £1,505, Southend-on-Sea £2,077Southend-on-Sea: £2,077Reading: £1,505Southend-on-Sea: £2,086Reading: £1,512Southend-on-Sea: £1,970Reading: £1,428

    £1,505£1,512£1,428Southend-on-Sea is higher£2,077£2,086£1,970

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Reading £250, Southend-on-Sea £311Southend-on-Sea: £311Reading: £250Southend-on-Sea: £312Reading: £251Southend-on-Sea: £295Reading: £237

    £250£251£237Southend-on-Sea is higher£311£312£295

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Reading £171, Southend-on-Sea £290Southend-on-Sea: £290Reading: £171Southend-on-Sea: £292Reading: £172Southend-on-Sea: £275Reading: £162

    £171£172£162Southend-on-Sea is higher£290£292£275

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Reading £8.93, Southend-on-Sea £7.96Southend-on-Sea: £7.96Reading: £8.93Southend-on-Sea: £7.99Reading: £8.97Southend-on-Sea: £7.55Reading: £8.47

    £8.93£8.97£8.47Reading is higher£7.96£7.99£7.55

  15. Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Reading £4.39, Southend-on-Sea £6.53Southend-on-Sea: £6.53Reading: £4.39Southend-on-Sea: £6.55Reading: £4.40Southend-on-Sea: £6.19Reading: £4.16

    £4.39£4.40£4.16Southend-on-Sea is higher£6.53£6.55£6.19

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Reading £4.84, Southend-on-Sea £4.75Southend-on-Sea: £4.75Reading: £4.84Southend-on-Sea: £4.77Reading: £4.86Southend-on-Sea: £4.51Reading: £4.59

    £4.84£4.86£4.59Reading is higher£4.75£4.77£4.51

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Reading 963.7, Southend-on-Sea 1,013.0Southend-on-Sea: 1,013.0Reading: 963.7

    963.7Southend-on-Sea is higher1,013.0

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Reading 144.5, Southend-on-Sea 123.6Southend-on-Sea: 123.6Reading: 144.5

    144.5Reading is higherDepends on how you count123.6

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Reading 128.6, Southend-on-Sea 176.3Southend-on-Sea: 176.3Reading: 128.6

    128.6Southend-on-Sea is higher176.3

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Reading 43.5, Southend-on-Sea 69.0Southend-on-Sea: 69.0Reading: 43.5

    43.5Southend-on-Sea is higher69.0

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Reading 162.6, Southend-on-Sea 212.4Southend-on-Sea: 212.4Reading: 162.6

    162.6Southend-on-Sea is higher212.4

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Reading 16.7, Southend-on-Sea 26.7Southend-on-Sea: 26.7Reading: 16.7

    16.7Southend-on-Sea is higher26.7

Show the numbers
Reading and Southend-on-Sea, per person in the age group
MeasureReadingSouthend-on-SeaHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,289£3,303£3,120£4,822£4,843£4,574Southend-on-Sea
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,426£12,479£11,786£12,934£12,989£12,268Southend-on-Sea
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,764£1,772£1,673£2,502£2,513£2,373Southend-on-Sea
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£10,862£10,909£10,303£11,509£11,558£10,916Southend-on-Sea
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£921£925£874£546£548£518Reading
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£606£608£575£848£851£804Southend-on-Sea
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£36£36£34£32£32£30Reading
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£279£280£265£438£440£415Southend-on-Sea
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£113£113£107£149£149£141Southend-on-Sea
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£75£75£71£120£120£114Southend-on-Sea
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,505£1,512£1,428£2,077£2,086£1,970Southend-on-Sea
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£250£251£237£311£312£295Southend-on-Sea
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£171£172£162£290£292£275Southend-on-Sea
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£8.93£8.97£8.47£7.96£7.99£7.55Reading
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£4.39£4.40£4.16£6.53£6.55£6.19Southend-on-Sea
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4.84£4.86£4.59£4.75£4.77£4.51Reading
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026963.71,013.0Southend-on-Sea
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026144.5123.6Reading
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026128.6176.3Southend-on-Sea
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202643.569.0Southend-on-Sea
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026162.6212.4Southend-on-Sea
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202616.726.7Southend-on-Sea

Per resident

Reading is higher on 3 of 22 measures, and Southend-on-Sea on 19. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Reading Southend-on-Sea

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Reading £3,289, Southend-on-Sea £4,822Southend-on-Sea: £4,822Reading: £3,289Southend-on-Sea: £4,843Reading: £3,303Southend-on-Sea: £4,574Reading: £3,120

    £3,289£3,303£3,120Southend-on-Sea is higher£4,822£4,843£4,574

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Reading £1,418, Southend-on-Sea £2,375Southend-on-Sea: £2,375Reading: £1,418Southend-on-Sea: £2,386Reading: £1,424Southend-on-Sea: £2,253Reading: £1,345

    £1,418£1,424£1,345Southend-on-Sea is higher£2,375£2,386£2,253

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Reading £1,225, Southend-on-Sea £1,544Southend-on-Sea: £1,544Reading: £1,225Southend-on-Sea: £1,551Reading: £1,230Southend-on-Sea: £1,465Reading: £1,162

    £1,225£1,230£1,162Southend-on-Sea is higher£1,544£1,551£1,465

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Reading £1,239, Southend-on-Sea £2,114Southend-on-Sea: £2,114Reading: £1,239Southend-on-Sea: £2,123Reading: £1,245Southend-on-Sea: £2,005Reading: £1,176

    £1,239£1,245£1,176Southend-on-Sea is higher£2,114£2,123£2,005

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Reading £105, Southend-on-Sea £100Southend-on-Sea: £100Reading: £105Southend-on-Sea: £101Reading: £106Southend-on-Sea: £95Reading: £100

    £105£106£100Reading is higher£100£101£95

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Reading £69, Southend-on-Sea £156Southend-on-Sea: £156Reading: £69Southend-on-Sea: £156Reading: £69Southend-on-Sea: £148Reading: £66

    £69£69£66Southend-on-Sea is higher£156£156£148

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Reading £4.14, Southend-on-Sea £5.80Southend-on-Sea: £5.80Reading: £4.14Southend-on-Sea: £5.82Reading: £4.16Southend-on-Sea: £5.50Reading: £3.93

    £4.14£4.16£3.93Southend-on-Sea is higherDepends on how you count£5.80£5.82£5.50

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Reading £279, Southend-on-Sea £438Southend-on-Sea: £438Reading: £279Southend-on-Sea: £440Reading: £280Southend-on-Sea: £415Reading: £265

    £279£280£265Southend-on-Sea is higher£438£440£415

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Reading £113, Southend-on-Sea £149Southend-on-Sea: £149Reading: £113Southend-on-Sea: £149Reading: £113Southend-on-Sea: £141Reading: £107

    £113£113£107Southend-on-Sea is higher£149£149£141

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Reading £52, Southend-on-Sea £74Southend-on-Sea: £74Reading: £52Southend-on-Sea: £74Reading: £52Southend-on-Sea: £70Reading: £49

    £52£52£49Southend-on-Sea is higher£74£74£70

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Reading £1,045, Southend-on-Sea £1,282Southend-on-Sea: £1,282Reading: £1,045Southend-on-Sea: £1,287Reading: £1,049Southend-on-Sea: £1,216Reading: £991

    £1,045£1,049£991Southend-on-Sea is higher£1,282£1,287£1,216

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Reading £250, Southend-on-Sea £311Southend-on-Sea: £311Reading: £250Southend-on-Sea: £312Reading: £251Southend-on-Sea: £295Reading: £237

    £250£251£237Southend-on-Sea is higher£311£312£295

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Reading £119, Southend-on-Sea £179Southend-on-Sea: £179Reading: £119Southend-on-Sea: £180Reading: £119Southend-on-Sea: £170Reading: £113

    £119£119£113Southend-on-Sea is higher£179£180£170

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Reading £6.20, Southend-on-Sea £4.91Southend-on-Sea: £4.91Reading: £6.20Southend-on-Sea: £4.93Reading: £6.23Southend-on-Sea: £4.66Reading: £5.88

    £6.20£6.23£5.88Reading is higher£4.91£4.93£4.66

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Reading £3.05, Southend-on-Sea £4.03Southend-on-Sea: £4.03Reading: £3.05Southend-on-Sea: £4.04Reading: £3.06Southend-on-Sea: £3.82Reading: £2.89

    £3.05£3.06£2.89Southend-on-Sea is higher£4.03£4.04£3.82

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Reading £4.84, Southend-on-Sea £4.75Southend-on-Sea: £4.75Reading: £4.84Southend-on-Sea: £4.77Reading: £4.86Southend-on-Sea: £4.51Reading: £4.59

    £4.84£4.86£4.59Reading is higher£4.75£4.77£4.51

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Reading 110.0, Southend-on-Sea 186.1Southend-on-Sea: 186.1Reading: 110.0

    110.0Southend-on-Sea is higher186.1

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Reading 16.5, Southend-on-Sea 22.7Southend-on-Sea: 22.7Reading: 16.5

    16.5Southend-on-Sea is higherDepends on how you count22.7

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Reading 14.7, Southend-on-Sea 32.4Southend-on-Sea: 32.4Reading: 14.7

    14.7Southend-on-Sea is higher32.4

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Reading 43.5, Southend-on-Sea 69.0Southend-on-Sea: 69.0Reading: 43.5

    43.5Southend-on-Sea is higher69.0

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Reading 112.9, Southend-on-Sea 131.1Southend-on-Sea: 131.1Reading: 112.9

    112.9Southend-on-Sea is higher131.1

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Reading 11.6, Southend-on-Sea 16.5Southend-on-Sea: 16.5Reading: 11.6

    11.6Southend-on-Sea is higher16.5

Show the numbers
Reading and Southend-on-Sea, per resident
MeasureReadingSouthend-on-SeaHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,289£3,303£3,120£4,822£4,843£4,574Southend-on-Sea
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,418£1,424£1,345£2,375£2,386£2,253Southend-on-Sea
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,225£1,230£1,162£1,544£1,551£1,465Southend-on-Sea
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£1,239£1,245£1,176£2,114£2,123£2,005Southend-on-Sea
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£105£106£100£100£101£95Reading
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£69£69£66£156£156£148Southend-on-Sea
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.14£4.16£3.93£5.80£5.82£5.50Southend-on-Sea
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£279£280£265£438£440£415Southend-on-Sea
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£113£113£107£149£149£141Southend-on-Sea
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£52£52£49£74£74£70Southend-on-Sea
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£1,045£1,049£991£1,282£1,287£1,216Southend-on-Sea
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£250£251£237£311£312£295Southend-on-Sea
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£119£119£113£179£180£170Southend-on-Sea
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£6.20£6.23£5.88£4.91£4.93£4.66Reading
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£3.05£3.06£2.89£4.03£4.04£3.82Southend-on-Sea
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4.84£4.86£4.59£4.75£4.77£4.51Reading
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026110.0186.1Southend-on-Sea
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202616.522.7Southend-on-Sea
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202614.732.4Southend-on-Sea
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202643.569.0Southend-on-Sea
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026112.9131.1Southend-on-Sea
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202611.616.5Southend-on-Sea

Total

Reading is higher on 3 of 22 measures, and Southend-on-Sea on 19. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Reading Southend-on-Sea

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Reading £601.3m, Southend-on-Sea £889.7mSouthend-on-Sea: £889.7mReading: £601.3mSouthend-on-Sea: £893.5mReading: £603.8mSouthend-on-Sea: £843.9mReading: £570.3m

    £601.3m£603.8m£570.3mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£889.7m£893.5m£843.9m

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Reading £259.2m, Southend-on-Sea £438.3mSouthend-on-Sea: £438.3mReading: £259.2mSouthend-on-Sea: £440.1mReading: £260.3mSouthend-on-Sea: £415.7mReading: £245.9m

    £259.2m£260.3m£245.9mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£438.3m£440.1m£415.7m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Reading £223.9m, Southend-on-Sea £284.9mSouthend-on-Sea: £284.9mReading: £223.9mSouthend-on-Sea: £286.1mReading: £224.8mSouthend-on-Sea: £270.2mReading: £212.3m

    £223.9m£224.8m£212.3mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£284.9m£286.1m£270.2m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Reading £226.6m, Southend-on-Sea £390.0mSouthend-on-Sea: £390.0mReading: £226.6mSouthend-on-Sea: £391.6mReading: £227.6mSouthend-on-Sea: £369.9mReading: £214.9m

    £226.6m£227.6m£214.9mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£390.0m£391.6m£369.9m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Reading £19.2m, Southend-on-Sea £18.5mSouthend-on-Sea: £18.5mReading: £19.2mSouthend-on-Sea: £18.6mReading: £19.3mSouthend-on-Sea: £17.6mReading: £18.2m

    £19.2m£19.3m£18.2mReading is higher£18.5m£18.6m£17.6m

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Reading £12.6m, Southend-on-Sea £28.7mSouthend-on-Sea: £28.7mReading: £12.6mSouthend-on-Sea: £28.8mReading: £12.7mSouthend-on-Sea: £27.2mReading: £12.0m

    £12.6m£12.7m£12.0mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£28.7m£28.8m£27.2m

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Reading £0.76m, Southend-on-Sea £1.1mSouthend-on-Sea: £1.1mReading: £0.76mSouthend-on-Sea: £1.1mReading: £0.76mSouthend-on-Sea: £1.0mReading: £0.72m

    £0.76m£0.76m£0.72mSouthend-on-Sea is higherDepends on how you count£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Reading £51.0m, Southend-on-Sea £80.8mSouthend-on-Sea: £80.8mReading: £51.0mSouthend-on-Sea: £81.2mReading: £51.3mSouthend-on-Sea: £76.7mReading: £48.4m

    £51.0m£51.3m£48.4mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£80.8m£81.2m£76.7m

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Reading £20.7m, Southend-on-Sea £27.5mSouthend-on-Sea: £27.5mReading: £20.7mSouthend-on-Sea: £27.6mReading: £20.7mSouthend-on-Sea: £26.0mReading: £19.6m

    £20.7m£20.7m£19.6mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£27.5m£27.6m£26.0m

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Reading £9.5m, Southend-on-Sea £13.7mSouthend-on-Sea: £13.7mReading: £9.5mSouthend-on-Sea: £13.7mReading: £9.5mSouthend-on-Sea: £13.0mReading: £9.0m

    £9.5m£9.5m£9.0mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£13.7m£13.7m£13.0m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Reading £191.0m, Southend-on-Sea £236.5mSouthend-on-Sea: £236.5mReading: £191.0mSouthend-on-Sea: £237.5mReading: £191.8mSouthend-on-Sea: £224.3mReading: £181.2m

    £191.0m£191.8m£181.2mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£236.5m£237.5m£224.3m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Reading £45.6m, Southend-on-Sea £57.4mSouthend-on-Sea: £57.4mReading: £45.6mSouthend-on-Sea: £57.6mReading: £45.8mSouthend-on-Sea: £54.4mReading: £43.3m

    £45.6m£45.8m£43.3mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£57.4m£57.6m£54.4m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Reading £21.7m, Southend-on-Sea £33.1mSouthend-on-Sea: £33.1mReading: £21.7mSouthend-on-Sea: £33.2mReading: £21.8mSouthend-on-Sea: £31.4mReading: £20.6m

    £21.7m£21.8m£20.6mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£33.1m£33.2m£31.4m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Reading £1.1m, Southend-on-Sea £0.91mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.91mReading: £1.1mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.91mReading: £1.1mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.86mReading: £1.1m

    £1.1mReading is higher£0.91m£0.91m£0.86m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Reading £0.56m, Southend-on-Sea £0.74mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.74mReading: £0.56mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.75mReading: £0.56mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.70mReading: £0.53m

    £0.56m£0.56m£0.53mSouthend-on-Sea is higher£0.74m£0.75m£0.70m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Reading £0.88m, Southend-on-Sea £0.88mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.88mReading: £0.88mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.88mReading: £0.89mSouthend-on-Sea: £0.83mReading: £0.84m

    £0.88m£0.89m£0.84mReading is higher£0.88m£0.88m£0.83m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Reading 20,103, Southend-on-Sea 34,326Southend-on-Sea: 34,326Reading: 20,103

    20,103Southend-on-Sea is higher34,326

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Reading 3,015, Southend-on-Sea 4,189Southend-on-Sea: 4,189Reading: 3,015

    3,015Southend-on-Sea is higherDepends on how you count4,189

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Reading 2,682, Southend-on-Sea 5,975Southend-on-Sea: 5,975Reading: 2,682

    2,682Southend-on-Sea is higher5,975

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Reading 7,952, Southend-on-Sea 12,731Southend-on-Sea: 12,731Reading: 7,952

    7,952Southend-on-Sea is higher12,731

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Reading 20,634, Southend-on-Sea 24,184Southend-on-Sea: 24,184Reading: 20,634

    20,634Southend-on-Sea is higher24,184

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Reading 2,122, Southend-on-Sea 3,039Southend-on-Sea: 3,039Reading: 2,122

    2,122Southend-on-Sea is higher3,039

Show the numbers
Reading and Southend-on-Sea, total
MeasureReadingSouthend-on-SeaHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£601.3m£603.8m£570.3m£889.7m£893.5m£843.9mSouthend-on-Sea
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£259.2m£260.3m£245.9m£438.3m£440.1m£415.7mSouthend-on-Sea
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£223.9m£224.8m£212.3m£284.9m£286.1m£270.2mSouthend-on-Sea
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£226.6m£227.6m£214.9m£390.0m£391.6m£369.9mSouthend-on-Sea
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£19.2m£19.3m£18.2m£18.5m£18.6m£17.6mReading
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£12.6m£12.7m£12.0m£28.7m£28.8m£27.2mSouthend-on-Sea
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.76m£0.76m£0.72m£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mSouthend-on-Sea
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£51.0m£51.3m£48.4m£80.8m£81.2m£76.7mSouthend-on-Sea
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£20.7m£20.7m£19.6m£27.5m£27.6m£26.0mSouthend-on-Sea
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£9.5m£9.5m£9.0m£13.7m£13.7m£13.0mSouthend-on-Sea
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£191.0m£191.8m£181.2m£236.5m£237.5m£224.3mSouthend-on-Sea
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£45.6m£45.8m£43.3m£57.4m£57.6m£54.4mSouthend-on-Sea
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£21.7m£21.8m£20.6m£33.1m£33.2m£31.4mSouthend-on-Sea
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£1.1m£0.91m£0.91m£0.86mReading
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.56m£0.56m£0.53m£0.74m£0.75m£0.70mSouthend-on-Sea
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.88m£0.89m£0.84m£0.88m£0.88m£0.83mReading
State Pensiontotal, March 202620,10334,326Southend-on-Sea
Pension Credittotal, March 20263,0154,189Southend-on-Sea
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20262,6825,975Southend-on-Sea
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20267,95212,731Southend-on-Sea
Universal Credittotal, May 202620,63424,184Southend-on-Sea
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20262,1223,039Southend-on-Sea

Sources

Each area's page lists the limits of its figures and where each one comes from.

  1. 1Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by local authority, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  2. 2Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by parliamentary constituency, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  3. 3Department for Work and Pensions. Stat-Xplore benefit caseloads and awards. Published 6 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  4. 4Social Security Scotland. Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  5. 5Social Security Scotland. Child Disability Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 17 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  6. 6Social Security Scotland. Pension Age Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  7. 7Social Security Scotland. Carer Support Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 10 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  8. 8Social Security Scotland. Winter heating benefits statistics for winter 2025/26. Published 18 May 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  9. 9Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by local authority (Nomis NM_2002_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  10. 10Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by 2024 parliamentary constituency (Nomis NM_2014_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  11. 11National Records of Scotland. Population estimates for other geographies, mid-2011 to mid-2024. Published 31 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.