Who Gets What

Local authority in South West, England

Dorset

In Dorset, benefit spending per resident was higher than in 85% of local authorities in 2024-25.

389,341 residents (mid-2024)

See it on the mapCompare with East Suffolk
Dorset on a map of the local authorities of Great Britain, one hexagon each
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.

At a glance

How does Dorset compare?

We divide each type of spending by the people it is for. A rank of 1 is the highest of the local authorities in Great Britain. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.

  • All benefits

    £5,217£5,239£4,948

    per resident, 2024-251-11

    50th of 348, higher than in 85% of local authorities

    Great Britain: £4,441£4,460£4,212

  • Pensioner benefits

    £12,394£12,446£11,756

    per person aged 66 and over, 2024-251-3, 6, 8-11

    305th of 347, lower than in 87% of local authorities

    Great Britain: £12,728£12,782£12,073

  • Working-age benefits

    £1,701£1,708£1,613

    per person aged 16 to 64, 2024-251-3, 7, 9-11

    226th of 350, lower than in 64% of local authorities

    Great Britain: £2,093£2,102£1,985

Show the numbers
Main figures for Dorset
MeasureValueRankGreat Britain
Benefit spending, per resident, 2024-25£5,217£5,239£4,94850th of 348£4,441£4,460£4,212
Spending on pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,394£12,446£11,756305th of 347£12,728£12,782£12,073
Spending on working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,701£1,708£1,613226th of 350£2,093£2,102£1,985

Spending by benefit, 2024-25

Where does Dorset's benefit money go?

People here received £2.0 billion£2.0 billion£1.9 billion in benefits in 2024-25, in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation. Each square is £1 million.1-11

Spending in Dorset, 2024-25, one square per £1 million: State Pension £1.3bn; Pension Credit £30.5m; Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment £73.0m; Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment £2.0m; Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment £150.3m; Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment £41.7m; Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment £20.9m; Universal Credit £279.9m; Housing Benefit £70.2m; Employment and Support Allowance £57.9m; Jobseeker's Allowance £0.92m; Income Support £1.1m; Other benefits £2.3mState Pension: £1.3bnPension Credit: £30.5mAttendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment: £73.0mWinter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: £2.0mPersonal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment: £150.3mDisability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment: £41.7mCarer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment: £20.9mUniversal Credit: £279.9mHousing Benefit: £70.2mEmployment and Support Allowance: £57.9mJobseeker's Allowance: £0.92mIncome Support: £1.1mOther benefits: £2.3m
Spending in Dorset, 2024-25, one square per £1 million: State Pension £1.3bn; Pension Credit £30.7m; Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment £73.3m; Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment £2.0m; Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment £151.0m; Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment £41.9m; Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment £21.0m; Universal Credit £281.1m; Housing Benefit £70.5m; Employment and Support Allowance £58.2m; Jobseeker's Allowance £0.93m; Income Support £1.1m; Other benefits £2.3mState Pension: £1.3bnPension Credit: £30.7mAttendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment: £73.3mWinter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: £2.0mPersonal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment: £151.0mDisability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment: £41.9mCarer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment: £21.0mUniversal Credit: £281.1mHousing Benefit: £70.5mEmployment and Support Allowance: £58.2mJobseeker's Allowance: £0.93mIncome Support: £1.1mOther benefits: £2.3m
Spending in Dorset, 2024-25, one square per £1 million: State Pension £1.2bn; Pension Credit £28.9m; Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment £69.2m; Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment £1.9m; Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment £142.6m; Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment £39.6m; Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment £19.9m; Universal Credit £265.5m; Housing Benefit £66.6m; Employment and Support Allowance £55.0m; Jobseeker's Allowance £0.88m; Income Support £1.0m; Other benefits £2.2mState Pension: £1.2bnPension Credit: £28.9mAttendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment: £69.2mWinter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: £1.9mPersonal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment: £142.6mDisability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment: £39.6mCarer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment: £19.9mUniversal Credit: £265.5mHousing Benefit: £66.6mEmployment and Support Allowance: £55.0mJobseeker's Allowance: £0.88mIncome Support: £1.0mOther benefits: £2.2m
  1. State Pension£1.3bn£1.3bn£1.2bn
  2. Pension Credit£30.5m£30.7m£28.9m
  3. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment£73.0m£73.3m£69.2m
  4. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment£2.0m£2.0m£1.9m
  5. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment£150.3m£151.0m£142.6m
  6. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment£41.7m£41.9m£39.6m
  7. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment£20.9m£21.0m£19.9m
  8. Universal Credit£279.9m£281.1m£265.5m
  9. Housing Benefit£70.2m£70.5m£66.6m
  10. Employment and Support Allowance£57.9m£58.2m£55.0m
  11. Jobseeker's Allowance£0.92m£0.93m£0.88m
  12. Income Support£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m
  13. Other benefits£2.3m£2.3m£2.2m
Show the numbers
Spending by benefit in Dorset, 2024-25
BenefitSpendingShareFigure type
State Pension£1.3bn£1.3bn£1.2bn64%Published
Pension Credit£30.5m£30.7m£28.9m2%Published
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment£73.0m£73.3m£69.2m4%Published
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment£2.0m£2.0m£1.9m0.1%Published
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment£150.3m£151.0m£142.6m7%Published
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment£41.7m£41.9m£39.6m2%Published
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment£20.9m£21.0m£19.9m1%Published
Universal Credit£279.9m£281.1m£265.5m14%Published
Housing Benefit£70.2m£70.5m£66.6m3%Published
Employment and Support Allowance£57.9m£58.2m£55.0m3%Published
Jobseeker's Allowance£0.92m£0.93m£0.88m0.0%Published
Income Support£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m0.1%Published
Other benefits£2.3m£2.3m£2.2m0.1%Published
All benefits£2.0bn£2.0bn£1.9bn100%Total

More about Dorset

How has it changed over time?
Is spending what you would expect?

Compared with similar areas

Spending compared with the expected level

We work out an expected level of spending from the share of children and of people aged 66 and over, how deprived the area is, typical pay and which nation it is in. This compares the area with similar areas. It does not measure need.

Each bar starts at the expected level. A bar reaches the edge when the difference is larger than in 98% of local authorities.

  • All benefits, per resident1-11, 14-17

    All benefits: actual £5,217, expected £5,266, difference −£50

    Actual £5,217£5,239£4,948Expected £5,266£5,289£4,995Difference −£50−£50−£47

    Benefit spending per resident was £50 below the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay.Benefit spending per resident was £50 below the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay.Benefit spending per resident was £47 below the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay. Across all local authorities, these factors explain 87% of the differences in this measure.

  • Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over1-3, 6, 8-11, 14-17

    Pensioner benefits: actual £12,394, expected £12,448, difference −£54

    Actual £12,394£12,446£11,756Expected £12,448£12,501£11,807Difference −£54−£55−£52

    Spending on pensioner benefits per person aged 66 and over was £54 below the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay.Spending on pensioner benefits per person aged 66 and over was £55 below the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay.Spending on pensioner benefits per person aged 66 and over was £52 below the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay. Across all local authorities, these factors explain 35% of the differences in this measure.

  • Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 641-3, 7, 9-11, 14-17

    Working-age benefits: actual £1,701, expected £1,699, difference +£1.05

    Actual £1,701£1,708£1,613Expected £1,699£1,707£1,612Difference +£1.05+£1.06+£1.00

    Spending on working-age benefits per person aged 16 to 64 was £1.05 above the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay.Spending on working-age benefits per person aged 16 to 64 was £1.06 above the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay.Spending on working-age benefits per person aged 16 to 64 was £1.00 above the level we would expect from age, deprivation and pay. Across all local authorities, these factors explain 85% of the differences in this measure.

The expected level comes from one statistical model across all areas of the same type. It uses ages, deprivation within each nation, typical pay and nation, and the methods page lists its figures. The difference compares an area only with areas that are similar on these measures. Rents, disability, household make-up and how many eligible people claim are not in the model, so the difference does not measure need.

How we work out the expected level

Show the numbers
Actual and expected spending in Dorset
MeasureActualExpectedDifference
All benefits, per resident£5,217£5,239£4,948£5,266£5,289£4,995−£50−£50−£47
Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over£12,394£12,446£11,756£12,448£12,501£11,807−£54−£55−£52
Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64£1,701£1,708£1,613£1,699£1,707£1,612+£1.05+£1.06+£1.00
How much income tax do residents pay?

Income tax only

Benefit spending and income tax paid by residents

In 2023-24, people in Dorset received £1.34 in benefits for each £1 of income tax that residents paid. Both figures are per resident, for the same tax year, 2023-24. Income tax is only one tax. There are no area figures for National Insurance, VAT or council tax.

Income tax paid by residents (income tax only), per resident9-13
£3,719£3,679£3,394
Survey estimate
Benefit spending, per resident
£4,988£4,934£4,553
Benefits for each £1 of income tax1-8, 12-13
£1.34
150th of 346, higher than in 56% of local authorities

Income tax only. There are no area figures for National Insurance, VAT, council tax or other taxes.

HMRC estimates income tax by area from a sample survey, the Survey of Personal Incomes, based on where taxpayers live. Figures for small areas are less certain, and HMRC does not publish some of them.

Spending and income tax are for the same year. Constituency income tax on the 2024 boundaries is only published for 2023-24.

Who lives here?

Profile

Deprivation and age

England, Wales and Scotland each measure deprivation in their own way. So we compare Dorset only with other areas in England.

Group 6 of 10 in England, where group 1 is the most deprived tenth of areas. English indices of deprivation 2025.14

Residents by age, mid-2024

  • Aged 0 to 1557,669
  • Aged 16 to 64212,179
  • Aged 656,073
  • Aged 66 and over113,420
  • All residents389,341
Which conditions are disability benefits paid for?

Disability benefit, July 2026

Personal Independence Payment by main condition

22,269 people in Dorset receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This shows the main condition each person has, compared with England and Wales. Every bar uses the same scale.3

  • Psychiatric disorders

    38%

    England and Wales: 39%

  • Musculoskeletal disease (general)

    20%

    England and Wales: 19%

  • Neurological disease

    15%

    England and Wales: 13%

  • Musculoskeletal disease (regional)

    10%

    England and Wales: 12%

  • Respiratory disease

    3%

    England and Wales: 4%

  • Malignant disease

    3%

    England and Wales: 3%

  • Cardiovascular disease

    2%

    England and Wales: 3%

  • Other condition groups (14)

    8%

    England and Wales: 8%

People receiving Personal Independence Payment, by the main condition recorded at their assessment, in the groups DWP uses. Stat-Xplore changes small counts slightly to protect privacy, so the groups can add up to a few people more or less than the area's total. The comparison is with England and Wales, because Scotland has no figures by area.

Show the numbers
Personal Independence Payment by main disabling condition in Dorset
Condition groupPeopleShareEngland and Wales
Psychiatric disorders8,53138%39%
Musculoskeletal disease (general)4,34820%19%
Neurological disease3,27015%13%
Musculoskeletal disease (regional)2,31210%12%
Respiratory disease7713%4%
Malignant disease7693%3%
Cardiovascular disease4812%3%
Visual disease3352%2%
Endocrine disease3181%1%
Hearing disorders1960.9%1%
Gastrointestinal disease2231%1%
Genitourinary disease1580.7%0.9%
Skin disease1440.6%0.7%
Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders)1130.5%0.5%
Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract850.4%0.4%
Infectious disease1070.5%0.4%
Haematological disease320.1%0.2%
Metabolic disease300.1%0.2%
Unknown or missing270.1%0.1%
Multisystem and extremes of age100.0%0.1%
Diseases of the immune system90.0%0.0%
Which areas are most like this one?

Similar areas

The 15 local authorities most like Dorset

We match areas anywhere in Great Britain on age, deprivation, pay and how many people live in each square kilometre. We do not match on place or spending. A smaller score means more alike. Bars show all benefits per resident, 2024-25.

  1. DorsetThis area£5,217£5,239£4,948
  2. East Suffolk0.56£5,259£5,281£4,988Compare
  3. Chichester0.68£4,792£4,813£4,546Compare
  4. South Hams0.71£4,789£4,810£4,543Compare
  5. Conwy0.74£5,766£5,790£5,469Compare
  6. Rother0.83£5,794£5,819£5,496Compare
  7. Teignbridge0.85£5,026£5,048£4,768Compare
  8. West Devon0.91£4,923£4,944£4,670Compare
  9. East Riding of Yorkshire0.95£4,662£4,682£4,422Compare
  10. Wyre0.99£5,373£5,396£5,097Compare
  11. Staffordshire Moorlands1.00£4,676£4,696£4,436Compare
  12. Babergh1.02£4,547£4,566£4,313Compare
  13. Shropshire1.03£4,600£4,619£4,363Compare
  14. Herefordshire, County of1.05£4,730£4,750£4,486Compare
  15. Lewes1.09£5,200£5,222£4,933Compare
  16. New Forest1.11£5,124£5,146£4,861Compare
Show the numbers
Areas most like Dorset
AreaScoreAll benefits, per resident
Dorset£5,217£5,239£4,948
East Suffolk0.56£5,259£5,281£4,988
Chichester0.68£4,792£4,813£4,546
South Hams0.71£4,789£4,810£4,543
Conwy0.74£5,766£5,790£5,469
Rother0.83£5,794£5,819£5,496
Teignbridge0.85£5,026£5,048£4,768
West Devon0.91£4,923£4,944£4,670
East Riding of Yorkshire0.95£4,662£4,682£4,422
Wyre0.99£5,373£5,396£5,097
Staffordshire Moorlands1.00£4,676£4,696£4,436
Babergh1.02£4,547£4,566£4,313
Shropshire1.03£4,600£4,619£4,363
Herefordshire, County of1.05£4,730£4,750£4,486
Lewes1.09£5,200£5,222£4,933
New Forest1.11£5,124£5,146£4,861
Which other areas overlap it?

Overlapping areas

The constituencies that overlap Dorset

Each share is the part of Dorset's residents who live in that area.

Every figure, in one table

Every figure

Every figure, with its rank

Every figure we publish for Dorset, in total and per person. Each has its rank among the local authorities of Great Britain and the figure for Great Britain. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.

Spending by benefit1-13
MeasureValueRankGreat BritainFigure type
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£2.0bn£2.0bn£1.9bn14th of 348£299.0bn£300.3bn£283.6bnPublished
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5,217£5,239£4,94850th of 348£4,441£4,460£4,212Published
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£1.4bn£1.4bn£1.3bn8th of 348£154.0bn£154.6bn£146.1bnPublished
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,610£3,626£3,4256th of 348£2,287£2,297£2,170Published
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,394£12,446£11,756305th of 347£12,728£12,782£12,073Published
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£360.8m£362.3m£342.2m82nd of 350£88.8bn£89.1bn£84.2bnPublished
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£927£931£879252nd of 350£1,318£1,324£1,250Published
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,701£1,708£1,613226th of 350£2,093£2,102£1,985Published
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£1.3bn£1.3bn£1.2bn7th of 348£138.4bn£138.9bn£131.2bnPublished
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£3,339£3,354£3,1685th of 348£2,055£2,064£1,949Published
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,463£11,512£10,873210th of 347£11,435£11,484£10,847Published
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£30.5m£30.7m£28.9m57th of 350£6.3bn£6.4bn£6.0bnPublished
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£78£79£74201st of 350£94£94£89Published
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£269£270£255305th of 349£523£525£496Published
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£73.0m£73.3m£69.2m10th of 350£9.0bn£9.0bn£8.5bnPublished
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£187£188£17850th of 350£133£134£126Published
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£643£646£610259th of 349£741£744£703Published
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£2.0m£2.0m£1.9m25th of 350£346.1m£347.6m£328.3mPublished
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£5.19£5.21£4.92156th of 350£5.14£5.17£4.88Published
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£18£18£17283rd of 349£29£29£27Published
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£150.3m£151.0m£142.6m47th of 350£30.4bn£30.5bn£28.9bnPublished
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£386£388£366204th of 350£452£454£429Published
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£41.7m£41.9m£39.6m52nd of 350£9.1bn£9.2bn£8.6bnPublished
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£107£108£102262nd of 350£135£136£128Published
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£20.9m£21.0m£19.9m63rd of 350£4.9bn£4.9bn£4.6bnPublished
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£54£54£51235th of 350£72£73£69Published
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£99£99£94192nd of 350£115£115£109Published
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£279.9m£281.1m£265.5m83rd of 350£70.3bn£70.6bn£66.7bnPublished
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£719£722£682257th of 350£1,044£1,048£990Published
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,319£1,325£1,251223rd of 350£1,657£1,664£1,572Published
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£70.2m£70.5m£66.6m58th of 350£16.3bn£16.4bn£15.5bnPublished
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£180£181£171191st of 350£242£243£230Published
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£57.9m£58.2m£55.0m67th of 350£13.0bn£13.0bn£12.3bnPublished
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£149£149£141219th of 350£193£193£183Published
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£273£274£259191st of 350£306£307£290Published
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.92m£0.93m£0.88m114th of 350£329.6m£331.0m£312.7mPublished
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£2.37£2.38£2.25346th of 350£4.89£4.91£4.64Published
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£4.35£4.37£4.13338th of 350£7.77£7.80£7.37Published
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m91st of 350£294.9m£296.2m£279.7mPublished
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.77£2.78£2.63241st of 350£4.38£4.39£4.15Published
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£5.09£5.11£4.83215th of 350£6.96£6.99£6.60Published
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£2.3m£2.3m£2.2m27th of 350£414.2m£415.9m£392.9mPublished
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5.94£5.96£5.63213th of 350£6.15£6.17£5.83Published
Benefits and income taxfor each £1 of income tax, 2023-24£1.34150th of 346£0.95Survey estimate
People receiving benefits3-4, 6-7, 9-11
MeasureValueRankGreat BritainFigure type
State Pensiontotal, March 2026114,4527th of 35012,207,279Published
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026294.04th of 350181.3Published
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 20261,009.1176th of 3491,009.0Published
Pension Credittotal, March 20267,83530th of 3501,380,853Published
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202620.1165th of 35020.5Published
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202669.1292nd of 349114.1Published
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 202615,3088th of 3501,881,995Published
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202639.345th of 35028.0Published
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026135.0271st of 349155.6Published
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 202622,27850th of 3504,594,229Published
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202657.2215th of 35068.2Published
Universal Credittotal, May 202632,77780th of 3508,145,172Published
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202684.2259th of 350121.0Published
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026154.5226th of 350192.1Published
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20264,59169th of 3501,090,721Published
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202611.8240th of 35016.2Published
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202621.6209th of 35025.7Published
Income tax1-13
MeasureValueRankGreat BritainFigure type
Income taxtotal, 2023-24£1.4bn£1.4bn£1.3bn45th of 348£293.3bn£290.1bn£267.7bnSurvey estimate
Income taxper resident, 2023-24£3,719£3,679£3,394153rd of 348£4,409£4,361£4,024Survey estimate
Benefits and income taxfor each £1 of income tax, 2023-24£1.34150th of 346£0.95Survey estimate
Compared with the expected level1-11, 14-17
MeasureValueRankGreat BritainFigure type
All benefits against expectedper resident, 2024-25−£50−£50−£47206th of 346£4.74£4.76£4.50Estimated
Pensioner benefits against expectedper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25−£54−£55−£52215th of 346−£11−£11−£10Estimated
Working-age benefits against expectedper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1.05£1.06£1.00156th of 348£8.64£8.68£8.20Estimated

Download all the data

Where do the numbers come from?

Notes

Limits and sources

Limits of the figures for Dorset

England, Wales and Scotland each measure deprivation in their own way, so we compare areas only with others in the same nation. Areas are split into 10 equal groups, from 1, the most deprived tenth, to 10, the least deprived.

Income tax only. There are no area figures for National Insurance, VAT, council tax or other taxes.

People receiving Personal Independence Payment, by the main condition recorded at their assessment, in the groups DWP uses. Stat-Xplore changes small counts slightly to protect privacy, so the groups can add up to a few people more or less than the area's total. The comparison is with England and Wales, because Scotland has no figures by area.

Sources

  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.
  12. 12HM Revenue and Customs. Income and tax by borough and district or unitary authority (Table 3.14). Published 29 April 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  13. 13HM Revenue and Customs. Income and tax by parliamentary constituency (Table 3.15). Published 29 April 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  14. 14Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. English indices of deprivation 2025. Published 19 November 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  15. 15Welsh Government. Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2025. Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  16. 16Scottish Government. Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020. Published 28 January 2020. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  17. 17Office for National Statistics. Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, resident analysis, 2024 (Nomis NM_30_1). Published 6 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.

Northern Ireland is not included. How we worked out the figures · Download all the data

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