England · district councils · 2024-25

Chorley Council budget and spending

Chorley Council had net current service expenditure of £15.9m in 2024-25, about £131 for each of its 121,814 residents. By total budget it is 114th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£15.9m
Spend per resident
£131
138th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
121,814
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
114th
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 Chorley Council spends its money

Chorley Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Environment£5.2m

    32.4% of the budget

  • Culture£4.8m

    29.9% of the budget

  • Central and other£4.4m

    27.8% of the budget

  • Housing£972,000

    6.1% of the budget

  • Planning£563,000

    3.5% of the budget

  • Public health£93,000

    0.6% 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 Chorley

Across six benefits, £212.4m was paid out in Chorley in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,744 per resident. That is 193rd highest of 315 areas per person and 215th by total pounds, and 18.6% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Chorley by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£112.1m
  • Personal Independence Payment£58.8m
  • Housing Benefit£18.3m
  • Disability Living Allowance£15.0m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£11.4m
  • Carer's Allowance£6.6m

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

Chorley Council: common questions

How much does Chorley Council spend?

Chorley Council had net current service expenditure of £15.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Chorley Council spend per resident?

About £131 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £15.9m and an ONS population estimate of 121,814. That is 138th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Chorley Council spend most on?

Environment is the largest service line at £5.2m, 32.4% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Chorley?

£212.4m 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 £1,744 per resident. That ranks 193rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.