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England · district councils · 2024-25

Braintree Council budget and spending

Braintree Council had net current service expenditure of £22.7m in 2024-25, about £136 for each of its 166,471 residents. By total budget it is 56th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£22.7m
Spend per resident
£136
130th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
166,471
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
56th
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 Braintree Council spends its money

Braintree Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Central and other£7.6m

    33.6% of the budget

  • Environment£7.1m

    31.5% of the budget

  • Housing£3.1m

    13.6% of the budget

  • Planning£3.1m

    13.6% of the budget

  • Culture£2.2m

    9.9% 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 Braintree

Across six benefits, £287.1m was paid out in Braintree in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,724 per resident. That is 199th highest of 315 areas per person and 148th by total pounds, and 19.5% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Braintree by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£168.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£66.6m
  • Disability Living Allowance£26.6m
  • Housing Benefit£20.0m
  • Carer's Allowance£10.7m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£10.0m

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

Braintree Council: common questions

How much does Braintree Council spend?

Braintree Council had net current service expenditure of £22.7m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Braintree Council spend per resident?

About £136 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £22.7m and an ONS population estimate of 166,471. That is 130th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Braintree Council spend most on?

Central and other is the largest service line at £7.6m, 33.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Braintree?

£287.1m 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 £1,724 per resident. That ranks 199th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.