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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Durham Council budget and spending

Durham Council had net current service expenditure of £1.0bn in 2024-25, about £1,934 for each of its 539,146 residents. By total budget it is 10th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£1.0bn
Spend per resident
£1,934
113th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
539,146
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
10th
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 Durham Council spends its money

Durham Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£402.6m

    38.6% of the budget

  • Adult social care£200.6m

    19.2% of the budget

  • Children's social care£156.5m

    15.0% of the budget

  • Environment£65.9m

    6.3% of the budget

  • Public health£61.6m

    5.9% of the budget

  • Central and other£48.9m

    4.7% of the budget

  • Culture£40.3m

    3.9% of the budget

  • Planning£23.1m

    2.2% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£22.2m

    2.1% of the budget

  • Housing£20.8m

    2.0% 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 Durham

Across six benefits, £1.4bn was paid out in Durham in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,650 per resident. That is 53rd highest of 315 areas per person and 6th by total pounds, and 23.7% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Durham by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£761.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£415.3m
  • Housing Benefit£98.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£95.6m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£66.2m
  • Carer's Allowance£59.8m

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

Durham Council: common questions

How much does Durham Council spend?

Durham Council had net current service expenditure of £1.0bn in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Durham Council spend per resident?

About £1,934 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £1.0bn and an ONS population estimate of 539,146. That is 113th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Durham Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £402.6m, 38.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 34.3% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Durham?

£1.4bn 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 £2,650 per resident. That ranks 53rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.