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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Doncaster Council budget and spending

Doncaster Council had net current service expenditure of £535.0m in 2024-25, about £1,656 for each of its 323,016 residents. By total budget it is 73rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£535.0m
Spend per resident
£1,656
161st of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
323,016
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
73rd
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 Doncaster Council spends its money

Doncaster Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£155.9m

    29.1% of the budget

  • Adult social care£142.1m

    26.6% of the budget

  • Children's social care£98.5m

    18.4% of the budget

  • Environment£34.8m

    6.5% of the budget

  • Public health£34.4m

    6.4% of the budget

  • Central and other£21.2m

    4.0% of the budget

  • Culture£17.4m

    3.3% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£12.2m

    2.3% of the budget

  • Planning£10.3m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Housing£8.1m

    1.5% 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 Doncaster

Across six benefits, £804.2m was paid out in Doncaster in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,490 per resident. That is 72nd highest of 315 areas per person and 35th by total pounds, and 16.2% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Doncaster by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£466.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£214.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£51.9m
  • Housing Benefit£47.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£33.4m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£33.4m

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

Doncaster Council: common questions

How much does Doncaster Council spend?

Doncaster Council had net current service expenditure of £535.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Doncaster Council spend per resident?

About £1,656 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £535.0m and an ONS population estimate of 323,016. That is 161st highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Doncaster Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £155.9m, 29.1% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 45.0% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Doncaster?

£804.2m 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 £2,490 per resident. That ranks 72nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.