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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Bracknell Forest Council budget and spending

Bracknell Forest Council had net current service expenditure of £243.9m in 2024-25, about £1,846 for each of its 132,145 residents. By total budget it is 170th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£243.9m
Spend per resident
£1,846
127th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
132,145
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
170th
of 185 single-tier 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 Bracknell Forest Council spends its money

Bracknell Forest Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£108.7m

    44.5% of the budget

  • Adult social care£53.5m

    21.9% of the budget

  • Children's social care£34.7m

    14.2% of the budget

  • Environment£14.1m

    5.8% of the budget

  • Central and other£7.8m

    3.2% of the budget

  • Public health£6.7m

    2.7% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£6.2m

    2.5% of the budget

  • Culture£4.5m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Housing£4.3m

    1.8% of the budget

  • Planning£3.5m

    1.4% of the budget

Single-tier councils (unitary, metropolitan, London borough and Scottish and Welsh councils) run every local service in their area, so they are compared with each other.

Benefits spending in Bracknell Forest

Across six benefits, £180.2m was paid out in Bracknell Forest in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,363 per resident. That is 269th highest of 315 areas per person and 250th by total pounds, and 36.4% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Bracknell Forest by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£109.6m
  • Personal Independence Payment£37.2m
  • Housing Benefit£16.3m
  • Disability Living Allowance£15.9m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£5.5m
  • Carer's Allowance£5.2m

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

Bracknell Forest Council: common questions

How much does Bracknell Forest Council spend?

Bracknell Forest Council had net current service expenditure of £243.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Bracknell Forest Council spend per resident?

About £1,846 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £243.9m and an ONS population estimate of 132,145. That is 127th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Bracknell Forest Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £108.7m, 44.5% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much of Bracknell Forest Council's budget goes on social care?

Adult and children's social care together take 36.1% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Bracknell Forest?

£180.2m 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 £1,363 per resident. That ranks 269th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.