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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Darlington Council budget and spending

Darlington Council had net current service expenditure of £187.5m in 2024-25, about £1,653 for each of its 113,402 residents. By total budget it is 179th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£187.5m
Spend per resident
£1,653
162nd of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
113,402
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
179th
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 Darlington Council spends its money

Darlington Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Adult social care£49.9m

    26.6% of the budget

  • Education£45.6m

    24.3% of the budget

  • Children's social care£39.4m

    21.0% of the budget

  • Environment£13.4m

    7.2% of the budget

  • Public health£10.5m

    5.6% of the budget

  • Culture£9.0m

    4.8% of the budget

  • Central and other£8.1m

    4.3% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£6.2m

    3.3% of the budget

  • Housing£3.6m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Planning£1.9m

    1.0% 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 Darlington

Across six benefits, £248.7m was paid out in Darlington in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,193 per resident. That is 118th highest of 315 areas per person and 180th by total pounds, and 2.4% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Darlington by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£143.0m
  • Personal Independence Payment£65.0m
  • Housing Benefit£17.9m
  • Disability Living Allowance£15.7m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£10.4m
  • Carer's Allowance£9.2m

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

Darlington Council: common questions

How much does Darlington Council spend?

Darlington Council had net current service expenditure of £187.5m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Darlington Council spend per resident?

About £1,653 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £187.5m and an ONS population estimate of 113,402. That is 162nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Darlington Council spend most on?

Adult social care is the largest service line at £49.9m, 26.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 47.6% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Darlington?

£248.7m 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 £2,193 per resident. That ranks 118th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.