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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Central Bedfordshire Council budget and spending

Central Bedfordshire Council had net current service expenditure of £498.3m in 2024-25, about £1,549 for each of its 321,605 residents. By total budget it is 86th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£498.3m
Spend per resident
£1,549
177th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
321,605
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
86th
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 Central Bedfordshire Council spends its money

Central Bedfordshire Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£223.5m

    44.8% of the budget

  • Adult social care£124.0m

    24.9% of the budget

  • Children's social care£67.9m

    13.6% of the budget

  • Environment£26.1m

    5.2% of the budget

  • Central and other£16.0m

    3.2% of the budget

  • Public health£14.4m

    2.9% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£10.1m

    2.0% of the budget

  • Housing£8.6m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Culture£5.3m

    1.1% of the budget

  • Planning£2.3m

    0.5% 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 Central Bedfordshire

Across six benefits, £476.6m was paid out in Central Bedfordshire in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,482 per resident. That is 240th highest of 315 areas per person and 94th by total pounds, and 30.8% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Central Bedfordshire by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£292.2m
  • Personal Independence Payment£105.3m
  • Disability Living Allowance£41.4m
  • Housing Benefit£33.3m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£16.4m
  • Carer's Allowance£16.2m

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

Central Bedfordshire Council: common questions

How much does Central Bedfordshire Council spend?

Central Bedfordshire Council had net current service expenditure of £498.3m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Central Bedfordshire Council spend per resident?

About £1,549 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £498.3m and an ONS population estimate of 321,605. That is 177th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Central Bedfordshire Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £223.5m, 44.8% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 38.5% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Central Bedfordshire?

£476.6m 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 £1,482 per resident. That ranks 240th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.