Child Benefit - Families
type: Dataset
theme: Economic Activity, Benefits and Tax Credits
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. No data is currently available for 2016 from HMRC; this will be uploaded when it becomes available.
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.
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.
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. Electoral Wards created in September 2016, as part of the 5th Review of Local Government Electoral Arrangements, are not currently covered by this dataset.
uniqueness: Not assessed
completeness: HMRC child benefit data covering Great Britain is available on [the gov.uk website](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/child-benefit-small-area-data), along with details of the methodology used to produce the statistics and definitions of terms used.
comment: Geographical analysis of families claiming Child Benefit at small area levels. Number of families in a live Child Benefit award as at 31st August.
update frequency: annual
license id: uk-ogl
confidentiality: Figures sourced from HMRC are subject to the dominance and disclosure guidelines set out in the GSS code of practice.
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).
geographical coverage: S01
geographical coverage: S13
geographical coverage: S92
will be updated: true
reference period: PeriodOfTime
  start date: 2014
  end date: 2018
next update: 2020-03-01
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).
version notes: The [HMRC statistics revisions policy is published on gov.uk.](The HMRC statistics revisions policy is published on gov.uk.)
issued: 2026-08-20T14:32:09.254117
modified: 2026-08-20T14:38:18.336534
contact point: Organization
contact point: Kind

Economic Activity, Benefits and Tax Credits
type: Concept

HM Revenue and Customs
type: Agent

child-benefit---families.csv
type: Distribution
comment: Geographical analysis of families claiming Child Benefit at small area levels. Number of families in a live Child Benefit award as at 31st August.
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyName
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: GeographyType
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: DateCode
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Measurement
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Units
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Value
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: Number Of Children In Household
  type: text
dictionary: Column
  column: quality-management
  type: text
table schema: Schema
  column: Column
    name: GeographyCode
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: GeographyName
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: GeographyType
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: DateCode
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Measurement
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Units
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Value
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: Number Of Children In Household
    datatype: text
  column: Column
    name: quality-management
    datatype: text
description: Data file for Child Benefit - Families
format: CSV
access URL: https://admin.data.gov.scot/resource/6ef4b1df-8301-4fb8-8943-c1582c8217a3/download
issued: 2026-08-20T14:38:18.355538
modified: 2026-08-20T14:38:18.349833