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Compare local authorities · Wales and Yorkshire and The Humber

Merthyr Tydfil and Wakefield

58,722 and 366,925 residents (mid-2024).

Merthyr Tydfil is higher than Wakefield on 21 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 21 of 22 per resident and 0 of 22 in total.

On 21 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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Merthyr Tydfil and Wakefield 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

Merthyr Tydfil is higher on 21 of 22 measures, and Wakefield on 1. 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

Merthyr Tydfil Wakefield

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £5,782, Wakefield £4,688Wakefield: £4,688Merthyr Tydfil: £5,782Wakefield: £4,708Merthyr Tydfil: £5,806Wakefield: £4,446Merthyr Tydfil: £5,484

    £5,782£5,806£5,484Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£4,688£4,708£4,446

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

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Merthyr Tydfil £13,241, Wakefield £12,707Wakefield: £12,707Merthyr Tydfil: £13,241Wakefield: £12,761Merthyr Tydfil: £13,297Wakefield: £12,053Merthyr Tydfil: £12,559

    £13,241£13,297£12,559Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£12,707£12,761£12,053

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

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Merthyr Tydfil £3,076, Wakefield £2,295Wakefield: £2,295Merthyr Tydfil: £3,076Wakefield: £2,305Merthyr Tydfil: £3,089Wakefield: £2,177Merthyr Tydfil: £2,918

    £3,076£3,089£2,918Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£2,295£2,305£2,177

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

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Merthyr Tydfil £11,658, Wakefield £11,504Wakefield: £11,504Merthyr Tydfil: £11,658Wakefield: £11,553Merthyr Tydfil: £11,708Wakefield: £10,912Merthyr Tydfil: £11,058

    £11,658£11,708£11,058Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£11,504£11,553£10,912

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

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Merthyr Tydfil £646, Wakefield £437Wakefield: £437Merthyr Tydfil: £646Wakefield: £439Merthyr Tydfil: £648Wakefield: £414Merthyr Tydfil: £613

    £646£648£613Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£437£439£414

  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: Merthyr Tydfil £897, Wakefield £737Wakefield: £737Merthyr Tydfil: £897Wakefield: £741Merthyr Tydfil: £901Wakefield: £699Merthyr Tydfil: £851

    £897£901£851Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£737£741£699

  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: Merthyr Tydfil £40, Wakefield £29Wakefield: £29Merthyr Tydfil: £40Wakefield: £29Merthyr Tydfil: £40Wakefield: £27Merthyr Tydfil: £38

    £40£40£38Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£29£29£27

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £944, Wakefield £577Wakefield: £577Merthyr Tydfil: £944Wakefield: £579Merthyr Tydfil: £948Wakefield: £547Merthyr Tydfil: £896

    £944£948£896Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£577£579£547

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £237, Wakefield £169Wakefield: £169Merthyr Tydfil: £237Wakefield: £169Merthyr Tydfil: £238Wakefield: £160Merthyr Tydfil: £225

    £237£238£225Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£169£169£160

  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: Merthyr Tydfil £216, Wakefield £148Wakefield: £148Merthyr Tydfil: £216Wakefield: £149Merthyr Tydfil: £217Wakefield: £140Merthyr Tydfil: £205

    £216£217£205Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£148£149£140

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

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Merthyr Tydfil £2,176, Wakefield £1,702Wakefield: £1,702Merthyr Tydfil: £2,176Wakefield: £1,710Merthyr Tydfil: £2,185Wakefield: £1,615Merthyr Tydfil: £2,064

    £2,176£2,185£2,064Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£1,702£1,710£1,615

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £250, Wakefield £219Wakefield: £219Merthyr Tydfil: £250Wakefield: £220Merthyr Tydfil: £251Wakefield: £208Merthyr Tydfil: £237

    £250£251£237Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£219£220£208

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

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Merthyr Tydfil £663, Wakefield £428Wakefield: £428Merthyr Tydfil: £663Wakefield: £429Merthyr Tydfil: £666Wakefield: £406Merthyr Tydfil: £629

    £663£666£629Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£428£429£406

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

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Merthyr Tydfil £7.08, Wakefield £8.82Wakefield: £8.82Merthyr Tydfil: £7.08Wakefield: £8.86Merthyr Tydfil: £7.11Wakefield: £8.37Merthyr Tydfil: £6.72

    £7.08£7.11£6.72Wakefield is higher£8.82£8.86£8.37

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

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Merthyr Tydfil £14, Wakefield £8.03Wakefield: £8.03Merthyr Tydfil: £14Wakefield: £8.07Merthyr Tydfil: £14Wakefield: £7.62Merthyr Tydfil: £14

    £14Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£8.03£8.07£7.62

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £16, Wakefield £6.02Wakefield: £6.02Merthyr Tydfil: £16Wakefield: £6.05Merthyr Tydfil: £16Wakefield: £5.71Merthyr Tydfil: £15

    £16£16£15Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£6.02£6.05£5.71

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

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Merthyr Tydfil 1,035.2, Wakefield 1,018.6Wakefield: 1,018.6Merthyr Tydfil: 1,035.2

    1,035.2Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count1,018.6

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

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Merthyr Tydfil 159.6, Wakefield 113.1Wakefield: 113.1Merthyr Tydfil: 159.6

    159.6Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count113.1

  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: Merthyr Tydfil 189.3, Wakefield 155.0Wakefield: 155.0Merthyr Tydfil: 189.3

    189.3Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count155.0

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merthyr Tydfil 132.9, Wakefield 86.2Wakefield: 86.2Merthyr Tydfil: 132.9

    132.9Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count86.2

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

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Merthyr Tydfil 276.8, Wakefield 221.1Wakefield: 221.1Merthyr Tydfil: 276.8

    276.8Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count221.1

  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: Merthyr Tydfil 48.0, Wakefield 32.5Wakefield: 32.5Merthyr Tydfil: 48.0

    48.0Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count32.5

Show the numbers
Merthyr Tydfil and Wakefield, per person in the age group
MeasureMerthyr TydfilWakefieldHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5,782£5,806£5,484£4,688£4,708£4,446Merthyr Tydfil
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£13,241£13,297£12,559£12,707£12,761£12,053Merthyr Tydfil
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£3,076£3,089£2,918£2,295£2,305£2,177Merthyr Tydfil
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,658£11,708£11,058£11,504£11,553£10,912Merthyr Tydfil
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£646£648£613£437£439£414Merthyr Tydfil
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£897£901£851£737£741£699Merthyr Tydfil
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£40£40£38£29£29£27Merthyr Tydfil
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£944£948£896£577£579£547Merthyr Tydfil
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£237£238£225£169£169£160Merthyr Tydfil
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£216£217£205£148£149£140Merthyr Tydfil
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£2,176£2,185£2,064£1,702£1,710£1,615Merthyr Tydfil
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£250£251£237£219£220£208Merthyr Tydfil
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£663£666£629£428£429£406Merthyr Tydfil
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£7.08£7.11£6.72£8.82£8.86£8.37Wakefield
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£14£8.03£8.07£7.62Merthyr Tydfil
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£16£16£15£6.02£6.05£5.71Merthyr Tydfil
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 20261,035.21,018.6Merthyr Tydfil
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026159.6113.1Merthyr Tydfil
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026189.3155.0Merthyr Tydfil
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026132.986.2Merthyr Tydfil
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026276.8221.1Merthyr Tydfil
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202648.032.5Merthyr Tydfil

Per resident

Merthyr Tydfil is higher on 21 of 22 measures, and Wakefield on 1. 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

Merthyr Tydfil Wakefield

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £5,782, Wakefield £4,688Wakefield: £4,688Merthyr Tydfil: £5,782Wakefield: £4,708Merthyr Tydfil: £5,806Wakefield: £4,446Merthyr Tydfil: £5,484

    £5,782£5,806£5,484Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£4,688£4,708£4,446

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £2,442, Wakefield £2,289Wakefield: £2,289Merthyr Tydfil: £2,442Wakefield: £2,299Merthyr Tydfil: £2,453Wakefield: £2,171Merthyr Tydfil: £2,317

    £2,442£2,453£2,317Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£2,289£2,299£2,171

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £1,892, Wakefield £1,428Wakefield: £1,428Merthyr Tydfil: £1,892Wakefield: £1,434Merthyr Tydfil: £1,900Wakefield: £1,355Merthyr Tydfil: £1,795

    £1,892£1,900£1,795Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£1,428£1,434£1,355

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £2,150, Wakefield £2,072Wakefield: £2,072Merthyr Tydfil: £2,150Wakefield: £2,081Merthyr Tydfil: £2,160Wakefield: £1,966Merthyr Tydfil: £2,040

    £2,150£2,160£2,040Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£2,072£2,081£1,966

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £119, Wakefield £79Wakefield: £79Merthyr Tydfil: £119Wakefield: £79Merthyr Tydfil: £120Wakefield: £75Merthyr Tydfil: £113

    £119£120£113Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£79£79£75

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £165, Wakefield £133Wakefield: £133Merthyr Tydfil: £165Wakefield: £133Merthyr Tydfil: £166Wakefield: £126Merthyr Tydfil: £157

    £165£166£157Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£133£133£126

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £7.39, Wakefield £5.19Wakefield: £5.19Merthyr Tydfil: £7.39Wakefield: £5.21Merthyr Tydfil: £7.42Wakefield: £4.92Merthyr Tydfil: £7.01

    £7.39£7.42£7.01Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£5.19£5.21£4.92

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £944, Wakefield £577Wakefield: £577Merthyr Tydfil: £944Wakefield: £579Merthyr Tydfil: £948Wakefield: £547Merthyr Tydfil: £896

    £944£948£896Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£577£579£547

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £237, Wakefield £169Wakefield: £169Merthyr Tydfil: £237Wakefield: £169Merthyr Tydfil: £238Wakefield: £160Merthyr Tydfil: £225

    £237£238£225Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£169£169£160

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £133, Wakefield £92Wakefield: £92Merthyr Tydfil: £133Wakefield: £92Merthyr Tydfil: £134Wakefield: £87Merthyr Tydfil: £126

    £133£134£126Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£92£92£87

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £1,338, Wakefield £1,060Wakefield: £1,060Merthyr Tydfil: £1,338Wakefield: £1,064Merthyr Tydfil: £1,344Wakefield: £1,005Merthyr Tydfil: £1,269

    £1,338£1,344£1,269Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£1,060£1,064£1,005

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £250, Wakefield £219Wakefield: £219Merthyr Tydfil: £250Wakefield: £220Merthyr Tydfil: £251Wakefield: £208Merthyr Tydfil: £237

    £250£251£237Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£219£220£208

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £408, Wakefield £266Wakefield: £266Merthyr Tydfil: £408Wakefield: £267Merthyr Tydfil: £409Wakefield: £252Merthyr Tydfil: £387

    £408£409£387Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£266£267£252

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £4.35, Wakefield £5.49Wakefield: £5.49Merthyr Tydfil: £4.35Wakefield: £5.52Merthyr Tydfil: £4.37Wakefield: £5.21Merthyr Tydfil: £4.13

    £4.35£4.37£4.13Wakefield is higher£5.49£5.52£5.21

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £8.76, Wakefield £5.01Wakefield: £5.01Merthyr Tydfil: £8.76Wakefield: £5.03Merthyr Tydfil: £8.80Wakefield: £4.75Merthyr Tydfil: £8.31

    £8.76£8.80£8.31Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£5.01£5.03£4.75

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Merthyr Tydfil £16, Wakefield £6.02Wakefield: £6.02Merthyr Tydfil: £16Wakefield: £6.05Merthyr Tydfil: £16Wakefield: £5.71Merthyr Tydfil: £15

    £16£16£15Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count£6.02£6.05£5.71

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Merthyr Tydfil 191.0, Wakefield 183.5Wakefield: 183.5Merthyr Tydfil: 191.0

    191.0Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count183.5

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Merthyr Tydfil 29.4, Wakefield 20.4Wakefield: 20.4Merthyr Tydfil: 29.4

    29.4Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count20.4

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merthyr Tydfil 34.9, Wakefield 27.9Wakefield: 27.9Merthyr Tydfil: 34.9

    34.9Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count27.9

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merthyr Tydfil 132.9, Wakefield 86.2Wakefield: 86.2Merthyr Tydfil: 132.9

    132.9Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count86.2

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Merthyr Tydfil 170.3, Wakefield 137.6Wakefield: 137.6Merthyr Tydfil: 170.3

    170.3Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count137.6

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merthyr Tydfil 29.5, Wakefield 20.3Wakefield: 20.3Merthyr Tydfil: 29.5

    29.5Merthyr Tydfil is higherDepends on how you count20.3

Show the numbers
Merthyr Tydfil and Wakefield, per resident
MeasureMerthyr TydfilWakefieldHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5,782£5,806£5,484£4,688£4,708£4,446Merthyr Tydfil
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,442£2,453£2,317£2,289£2,299£2,171Merthyr Tydfil
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,892£1,900£1,795£1,428£1,434£1,355Merthyr Tydfil
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£2,150£2,160£2,040£2,072£2,081£1,966Merthyr Tydfil
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£119£120£113£79£79£75Merthyr Tydfil
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£165£166£157£133£133£126Merthyr Tydfil
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£7.39£7.42£7.01£5.19£5.21£4.92Merthyr Tydfil
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£944£948£896£577£579£547Merthyr Tydfil
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£237£238£225£169£169£160Merthyr Tydfil
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£133£134£126£92£92£87Merthyr Tydfil
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£1,338£1,344£1,269£1,060£1,064£1,005Merthyr Tydfil
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£250£251£237£219£220£208Merthyr Tydfil
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£408£409£387£266£267£252Merthyr Tydfil
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£4.35£4.37£4.13£5.49£5.52£5.21Wakefield
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£8.76£8.80£8.31£5.01£5.03£4.75Merthyr Tydfil
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£16£16£15£6.02£6.05£5.71Merthyr Tydfil
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026191.0183.5Merthyr Tydfil
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202629.420.4Merthyr Tydfil
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202634.927.9Merthyr Tydfil
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026132.986.2Merthyr Tydfil
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026170.3137.6Merthyr Tydfil
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202629.520.3Merthyr Tydfil

Total

Merthyr Tydfil is higher on 0 of 22 measures, and Wakefield on 22. 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

Merthyr Tydfil Wakefield

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Merthyr Tydfil £339.5m, Wakefield £1.7bnWakefield: £1.7bnMerthyr Tydfil: £339.5mWakefield: £1.7bnMerthyr Tydfil: £341.0mWakefield: £1.6bnMerthyr Tydfil: £322.0m

    £339.5m£341.0m£322.0mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£1.7bn£1.7bn£1.6bn

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Merthyr Tydfil £143.4m, Wakefield £839.9mWakefield: £839.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £143.4mWakefield: £843.5mMerthyr Tydfil: £144.0mWakefield: £796.7mMerthyr Tydfil: £136.0m

    £143.4m£144.0m£136.0mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£839.9m£843.5m£796.7m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Merthyr Tydfil £111.1m, Wakefield £524.1mWakefield: £524.1mMerthyr Tydfil: £111.1mWakefield: £526.3mMerthyr Tydfil: £111.6mWakefield: £497.1mMerthyr Tydfil: £105.4m

    £111.1m£111.6m£105.4mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£524.1m£526.3m£497.1m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Merthyr Tydfil £126.3m, Wakefield £760.4mWakefield: £760.4mMerthyr Tydfil: £126.3mWakefield: £763.6mMerthyr Tydfil: £126.8mWakefield: £721.3mMerthyr Tydfil: £119.8m

    £126.3m£126.8m£119.8mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£760.4m£763.6m£721.3m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Merthyr Tydfil £7.0m, Wakefield £28.9mWakefield: £28.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £7.0mWakefield: £29.0mMerthyr Tydfil: £7.0mWakefield: £27.4mMerthyr Tydfil: £6.6m

    £7.0m£7.0m£6.6mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£28.9m£29.0m£27.4m

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil £9.7m, Wakefield £48.7mWakefield: £48.7mMerthyr Tydfil: £9.7mWakefield: £48.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £9.8mWakefield: £46.2mMerthyr Tydfil: £9.2m

    £9.7m£9.8m£9.2mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£48.7m£48.9m£46.2m

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil £0.43m, Wakefield £1.9mWakefield: £1.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.43mWakefield: £1.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.44mWakefield: £1.8mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.41m

    £0.43m£0.44m£0.41mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£1.9m£1.9m£1.8m

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil £55.4m, Wakefield £211.7mWakefield: £211.7mMerthyr Tydfil: £55.4mWakefield: £212.6mMerthyr Tydfil: £55.7mWakefield: £200.8mMerthyr Tydfil: £52.6m

    £55.4m£55.7m£52.6mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£211.7m£212.6m£200.8m

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil £13.9m, Wakefield £61.9mWakefield: £61.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £13.9mWakefield: £62.1mMerthyr Tydfil: £14.0mWakefield: £58.7mMerthyr Tydfil: £13.2m

    £13.9m£14.0m£13.2mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£61.9m£62.1m£58.7m

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil £7.8m, Wakefield £33.8mWakefield: £33.8mMerthyr Tydfil: £7.8mWakefield: £33.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £7.8mWakefield: £32.1mMerthyr Tydfil: £7.4m

    £7.8m£7.8m£7.4mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£33.8m£33.9m£32.1m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Merthyr Tydfil £78.6m, Wakefield £388.8mWakefield: £388.8mMerthyr Tydfil: £78.6mWakefield: £390.5mMerthyr Tydfil: £78.9mWakefield: £368.8mMerthyr Tydfil: £74.5m

    £78.6m£78.9m£74.5mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£388.8m£390.5m£368.8m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Merthyr Tydfil £14.7m, Wakefield £80.3mWakefield: £80.3mMerthyr Tydfil: £14.7mWakefield: £80.6mMerthyr Tydfil: £14.8mWakefield: £76.2mMerthyr Tydfil: £13.9m

    £14.7m£14.8m£13.9mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£80.3m£80.6m£76.2m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Merthyr Tydfil £23.9m, Wakefield £97.7mWakefield: £97.7mMerthyr Tydfil: £23.9mWakefield: £98.1mMerthyr Tydfil: £24.0mWakefield: £92.6mMerthyr Tydfil: £22.7m

    £23.9m£24.0m£22.7mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£97.7m£98.1m£92.6m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Merthyr Tydfil £0.26m, Wakefield £2.0mWakefield: £2.0mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.26mWakefield: £2.0mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.26mWakefield: £1.9mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.24m

    £0.26m£0.26m£0.24mWakefield is higher£2.0m£2.0m£1.9m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Merthyr Tydfil £0.51m, Wakefield £1.8mWakefield: £1.8mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.51mWakefield: £1.8mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.52mWakefield: £1.7mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.49m

    £0.51m£0.52m£0.49mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£1.8m£1.8m£1.7m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Merthyr Tydfil £0.91m, Wakefield £2.2mWakefield: £2.2mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.91mWakefield: £2.2mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.92mWakefield: £2.1mMerthyr Tydfil: £0.87m

    £0.91m£0.92m£0.87mWakefield is higherDepends on how you count£2.2m£2.2m£2.1m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Merthyr Tydfil 11,213, Wakefield 67,325Wakefield: 67,325Merthyr Tydfil: 11,213

    11,213Wakefield is higherDepends on how you count67,325

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Merthyr Tydfil 1,729, Wakefield 7,478Wakefield: 7,478Merthyr Tydfil: 1,729

    1,729Wakefield is higherDepends on how you count7,478

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil 2,050, Wakefield 10,246Wakefield: 10,246Merthyr Tydfil: 2,050

    2,050Wakefield is higherDepends on how you count10,246

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil 7,804, Wakefield 31,640Wakefield: 31,640Merthyr Tydfil: 7,804

    7,804Wakefield is higherDepends on how you count31,640

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Merthyr Tydfil 9,999, Wakefield 50,484Wakefield: 50,484Merthyr Tydfil: 9,999

    9,999Wakefield is higherDepends on how you count50,484

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Merthyr Tydfil 1,734, Wakefield 7,431Wakefield: 7,431Merthyr Tydfil: 1,734

    1,734Wakefield is higherDepends on how you count7,431

Show the numbers
Merthyr Tydfil and Wakefield, total
MeasureMerthyr TydfilWakefieldHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£339.5m£341.0m£322.0m£1.7bn£1.7bn£1.6bnWakefield
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£143.4m£144.0m£136.0m£839.9m£843.5m£796.7mWakefield
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£111.1m£111.6m£105.4m£524.1m£526.3m£497.1mWakefield
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£126.3m£126.8m£119.8m£760.4m£763.6m£721.3mWakefield
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£7.0m£7.0m£6.6m£28.9m£29.0m£27.4mWakefield
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£9.7m£9.8m£9.2m£48.7m£48.9m£46.2mWakefield
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.43m£0.44m£0.41m£1.9m£1.9m£1.8mWakefield
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£55.4m£55.7m£52.6m£211.7m£212.6m£200.8mWakefield
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£13.9m£14.0m£13.2m£61.9m£62.1m£58.7mWakefield
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£7.8m£7.8m£7.4m£33.8m£33.9m£32.1mWakefield
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£78.6m£78.9m£74.5m£388.8m£390.5m£368.8mWakefield
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£14.7m£14.8m£13.9m£80.3m£80.6m£76.2mWakefield
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£23.9m£24.0m£22.7m£97.7m£98.1m£92.6mWakefield
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.26m£0.26m£0.24m£2.0m£2.0m£1.9mWakefield
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.51m£0.52m£0.49m£1.8m£1.8m£1.7mWakefield
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.91m£0.92m£0.87m£2.2m£2.2m£2.1mWakefield
State Pensiontotal, March 202611,21367,325Wakefield
Pension Credittotal, March 20261,7297,478Wakefield
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20262,05010,246Wakefield
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20267,80431,640Wakefield
Universal Credittotal, May 20269,99950,484Wakefield
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20261,7347,431Wakefield

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.