England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
City of London Council budget and spending
City of London Council had net current service expenditure of £353.5m in 2024-25, about £22,618 for each of its 15,631 residents. By total budget it is 133rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £353.5m
- Spend per resident
- £22,618
- 1st of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 15,631
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 133rd
- 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 City of London Council spends its money
- Police£222.8m
63.0% of the budget
- Culture£53.7m
15.2% of the budget
- Environment£20.3m
5.7% of the budget
- Central and other£18.2m
5.2% of the budget
- Planning£10.3m
2.9% of the budget
- Education£10.0m
2.8% of the budget
- Adult social care£7.9m
2.2% of the budget
- Housing£5.8m
1.6% of the budget
- Children's social care£5.1m
1.4% of the budget
- Public health£1.8m
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 City of London
Across six benefits, £10.3m was paid out in City of London in the 12 months to March 2026, about £661 per resident. That is 314th highest of 315 areas per person and 314th by total pounds, and 69.1% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£6.3m
- Personal Independence Payment£1.9m
- Housing Benefit£1.4m
- Disability Living Allowance£520,966
- Employment and Support Allowance£289,960
- Carer's Allowance£229,522
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
City of London Council: common questions
How much does City of London Council spend?
City of London Council had net current service expenditure of £353.5m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does City of London Council spend per resident?
About £22,618 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £353.5m and an ONS population estimate of 15,631. That is 1st highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does City of London Council spend most on?
Police is the largest service line at £222.8m, 63.0% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of City of London Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 3.7% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in City of London?
£10.3m 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 £661 per resident. That ranks 314th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.