Child Benefit - Children
type: Dataset
description: More details available under the [HM revenue and Customs (HMRC) Child Benefit Statistics Small Area Data Publication](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/684138/Introduction_to_Child_Benefit_Small_Area_Data_2017.pdf). The data was downloaded from the [HMRC small area data pages](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/child-benefit-small-area-data).
issued: 2026-08-20T14:32:05.270517
modified: 2026-08-20T14:37:53.664740
version notes: The [HMRC statistics revisions policy is published on gov.uk.](The HMRC statistics revisions policy is published on gov.uk.)
contact point: Kind
contact point: Organization
theme: Economic Activity, Benefits and Tax Credits
accuracy: Some data could not be allocated to a Data Zone so is not included, apart from in the Scotland totals. The figures have been independently rounded to the nearest 5. This can lead to components as shown not summing to totals as shown. This publication does not include those that have opted out of receiving Child Benefit. Breakdowns of opt-out figures for this publication are not possible, due to the low level geographies involved. In the 2014 data, there are cases where postcodes associated to a claimant family do not match HM Revenue & Customs most recent records of Scottish Data Zones; these are only included in the Scotland total.
comment: Geographical analysis of Child Benefit at small area levels. Number of children in a live Child Benefit award as at 31st August.
completeness: HMRC child benefit data covering Great Britain is available on [the gov.uk website,](HMRC child benefit data covering Great Britain is available on the gov.uk website, along with details of the methodology used to produce the statistics and definitions of terms used.) along with details of the methodology used to produce the statistics and definitions of terms used.
confidentiality: Figures sourced from HMRC are subject to the dominance and disclosure guidelines set out in the GSS code of practice.
consistency: The data for 2014 is based on 2001 Data Zones, and the data for 2015 onwards is based on 2011 Data Zones. HMRC published child benefit data uses obsolete Electoral Ward geographical units until 2018. Electoral Wards created in September 2016, as part of the 5th Review of Local Government Electoral Arrangements are used from 2018 onwards.
geographical coverage: S01
geographical coverage: S13
geographical coverage: S92
license id: uk-ogl
next update: 2020-03-01
quality management: The data refers to the number of families receiving Child Benefit (CB) (and their eligible dependents) and is derived from two 100% scans from the Child Benefit Computer System (CBCS).
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  end date: 2018
  start date: 2014
timeliness: The statistics are as close to real-time as possible and represent the complete picture as at the 31st August, including back-dated awards pertaining to new-births.
uniqueness: Not assessed
update frequency: annual
validity: The statistics contained in this publication will be of interest for anyone that is looking for the latest possible data on Child Benefit. Specifically, there are statistics on the number of children, by age band, in each geographical area. The user consultation showed that these statistics are used mainly by Local Government followed by Central Government and Academics.
will be updated: true

child-benefit.csv
type: Distribution
description: Data file for Child Benefit - Children
format: CSV
issued: 2026-08-20T14:37:53.677789
modified: 2026-08-20T14:37:53.672530
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Age
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Units
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: DateCode
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Gender
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyCode
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Value
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: quality-management
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyType
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: Measurement
  column: Column
    datatype: text
    name: GeographyName
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/9a49bc69-1f8a-40e2-a006-c1de6c6e487f/download
comment: Geographical analysis of Child Benefit at small area levels. Number of children in a live Child Benefit award as at 31st August.
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Gender
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Age
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: quality-management
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text

HM Revenue and Customs
type: Agent

Economic Activity, Benefits and Tax Credits
type: Concept