Labour MPs accounted for 29 of the 30 constituencies with the highest welfare spending across six major benefits in the 12 months to March 2026, according to new research by the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA). That means more than nine out of 10 of the highest-spending seats were represented by Labour.
The TPA, a UK-based campaign group advocating lower taxes and greater accountability in public spending, released the findings on Sunday. Its new Welfare Map examines benefits spending across every constituency and local authority in England and Wales, showing where welfare expenditure is highest and how spending has changed since 2021 and since Labour came to power in 2024.
Welfare bill rises to £133.1 billion
The research found that £133.1 billion was spent on the six benefits covered by the analysis in the 12 months to March 2026, an increase of £26.1 billion. Labour constituencies received £98.1 billion of the £133.1 billion welfare bill.
The average Labour constituency had a welfare bill of £267.3 million, compared with £159.3 million for Conservative constituencies and £224.9 million for Reform UK, according to the TPA research.
Constituency breakdown
The group said: "Makerfield, Andy Burnham’s constituency, had a welfare bill of £221.3 million, which had increased by £42.1 million or 23.5% in just over two years. Stephen Timms, the minister charged with reviewing PIP, had a constituency bill in East Ham of £415.6 million, while DWP secretary Pat McFadden saw his constituency of Wolverhampton South East reach £393.6 million."
Tottenham had the largest welfare bill of any constituency, at £624.9 million. Brent East had the second largest at £605.9 million, followed by Birmingham Ladywood at £590.7 million. Fifty-four constituencies had welfare bills exceeding £365 million, equivalent to more than £1 million for every day of the year. Of these, 36 had bills exceeding £400 million, and eight exceeded £500 million.
Regional and political reaction
Across six main benefits, including Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), spending has increased by £26.1 billion since 2024. It hit £133.1 billion across England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2026, a 24.4% increase in just over two years, the TPA added.
While London had the largest regional welfare bill at £24.2 billion, Birmingham is "Britain’s benefits capital." Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley recorded the fastest growth in welfare spending, increasing by 37.1% in just over two years. Five of the 10 constituencies with the largest percentage increases were in the city.
The findings have been described as Britain’s "benefits league of shame" by GB News presenter Martin Daubney. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "Our Welfare Map lays bare the parts of Britain which have become addicted to benefits.
"Over the last two years, welfare spending has spiralled out of control and politicians, worried about their poll ratings, have resisted spending restraint at every turn.
"Enough is enough. Politicians must cut this welfare bill, including by restricting who can claim and capping how much they can get, if they want to restore any semblance of taxpayers’ trust in the welfare system."
Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "This Welfare Map from the TaxPayers’ Alliance is a vital tool, which lets anyone see for themselves that Labour have lost control of benefits spending.
"Labour have made it easier to claim and harder to get a job. So we have announced new policies to bring down spending and be tough on those who exploit the system.
"Britain can’t afford to keep spending this much on welfare. It’s not fair on taxpayers footing the bill."
The TPA said it is calling on all political parties to commit to urgent measures to "bring welfare spending under control," including toughening benefits caps, tightening assessments and eligibility, and expanding means testing. Express.co.uk has approached the Labour Party for comment.
