England · district councils · 2024-25
Eastbourne Council budget and spending
Eastbourne Council had net current service expenditure of £17.0m in 2024-25, about £164 for each of its 103,894 residents. By total budget it is 105th highest of 164 district councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £17.0m
- Spend per resident
- £164
- 85th of 164 district councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 103,894
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 105th
- 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 Eastbourne Council spends its money
- Central and other£8.4m
49.3% of the budget
- Environment£3.4m
20.3% of the budget
- Culture£2.4m
13.9% of the budget
- Housing£2.0m
11.6% of the budget
- Planning£1.1m
6.6% 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 Eastbourne
Across six benefits, £266.3m was paid out in Eastbourne in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,563 per resident. That is 62nd highest of 315 areas per person and 166th by total pounds, and 19.6% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£158.3m
- Personal Independence Payment£56.3m
- Housing Benefit£28.2m
- Disability Living Allowance£18.3m
- Employment and Support Allowance£9.2m
- Carer's Allowance£7.2m
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
Eastbourne Council: common questions
How much does Eastbourne Council spend?
Eastbourne Council had net current service expenditure of £17.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Eastbourne Council spend per resident?
About £164 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £17.0m and an ONS population estimate of 103,894. That is 85th highest of 164 district councils.
What does Eastbourne Council spend most on?
Central and other is the largest service line at £8.4m, 49.3% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Eastbourne?
£266.3m 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 £2,563 per resident. That ranks 62nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.