NumbersDeckOpen the map

England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Bristol Council budget and spending

Bristol Council had net current service expenditure of £878.8m in 2024-25, about £1,774 for each of its 495,260 residents. By total budget it is 17th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£878.8m
Spend per resident
£1,774
140th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
495,260
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
17th
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 Bristol Council spends its money

Bristol Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£284.3m

    32.4% of the budget

  • Adult social care£252.7m

    28.8% of the budget

  • Children's social care£153.4m

    17.5% of the budget

  • Environment£50.4m

    5.7% of the budget

  • Public health£44.1m

    5.0% of the budget

  • Housing£33.7m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Culture£22.7m

    2.6% of the budget

  • Central and other£21.4m

    2.4% of the budget

  • Planning£16.4m

    1.9% 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 Bristol

Across six benefits, £1.0bn was paid out in Bristol in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,111 per resident. That is 130th highest of 315 areas per person and 16th by total pounds, and 1.5% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Bristol by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£648.9m
  • Personal Independence Payment£235.9m
  • Housing Benefit£96.4m
  • Disability Living Allowance£54.3m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£33.7m
  • Carer's Allowance£27.0m

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

Bristol Council: common questions

How much does Bristol Council spend?

Bristol Council had net current service expenditure of £878.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Bristol Council spend per resident?

About £1,774 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £878.8m and an ONS population estimate of 495,260. That is 140th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Bristol Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £284.3m, 32.4% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 46.2% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Bristol?

£1.0bn 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 £2,111 per resident. That ranks 130th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.