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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Cheshire West and Chester Council budget and spending

Cheshire West and Chester Council had net current service expenditure of £783.3m in 2024-25, about £2,095 for each of its 373,951 residents. By total budget it is 25th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£783.3m
Spend per resident
£2,095
87th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
373,951
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
25th
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 Cheshire West and Chester Council spends its money

Cheshire West and Chester Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£312.9m

    39.9% of the budget

  • Adult social care£187.7m

    24.0% of the budget

  • Children's social care£94.9m

    12.1% of the budget

  • Planning£72.0m

    9.2% of the budget

  • Environment£33.4m

    4.3% of the budget

  • Public health£21.1m

    2.7% of the budget

  • Central and other£19.3m

    2.5% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£18.7m

    2.4% of the budget

  • Culture£13.3m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Housing£10.0m

    1.3% 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 Cheshire West and Chester

Across six benefits, £681.8m was paid out in Cheshire West and Chester in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,823 per resident. That is 183rd highest of 315 areas per person and 58th by total pounds, and 14.9% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Cheshire West and Chester by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£377.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£185.6m
  • Disability Living Allowance£51.6m
  • Housing Benefit£47.0m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£30.0m
  • Carer's Allowance£24.5m

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

Cheshire West and Chester Council: common questions

How much does Cheshire West and Chester Council spend?

Cheshire West and Chester Council had net current service expenditure of £783.3m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Cheshire West and Chester Council spend per resident?

About £2,095 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £783.3m and an ONS population estimate of 373,951. That is 87th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Cheshire West and Chester Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £312.9m, 39.9% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much of Cheshire West and Chester 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 Cheshire West and Chester?

£681.8m 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 £1,823 per resident. That ranks 183rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.