England · district councils · 2024-25

Basildon Council budget and spending

Basildon Council had net current service expenditure of £34.8m in 2024-25, about £180 for each of its 193,489 residents. By total budget it is 10th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£34.8m
Spend per resident
£180
53rd of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
193,489
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
10th
of 164 district councils

This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.

Where Basildon Council spends its money

Basildon Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Environment£12.4m

    35.7% of the budget

  • Culture£7.7m

    22.2% of the budget

  • Central and other£6.8m

    19.4% of the budget

  • Housing£4.5m

    12.8% of the budget

  • Planning£3.6m

    10.5% of the budget

District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.

Benefits spending in Basildon

Across six benefits, £428.5m was paid out in Basildon in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,215 per resident. That is 113th highest of 315 areas per person and 106th by total pounds, and 3.4% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Basildon by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£266.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£92.3m
  • Housing Benefit£33.3m
  • Disability Living Allowance£32.9m
  • Carer's Allowance£15.1m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£11.8m

Covers six benefits only: Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA. Excludes the State Pension, the largest welfare line. Compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance from DWP Stat-Xplore, not a DWP borough publication. England and Wales, £133.1 billion in the 12 months to March 2026. Do not add this to the council budget: Housing Benefit is in both.

Councils with similar spend per resident

Basildon Council: common questions

How much does Basildon Council spend?

Basildon Council had net current service expenditure of £34.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Basildon Council spend per resident?

About £180 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £34.8m and an ONS population estimate of 193,489. That is 53rd highest of 164 district councils.

What does Basildon Council spend most on?

Environment is the largest service line at £12.4m, 35.7% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Basildon?

£428.5m was paid out in the 12 months to March 2026 on six benefits (Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA), about £2,215 per resident. That ranks 113th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.