England · district councils · 2024-25

Folkestone & Hythe Council budget and spending

Folkestone & Hythe Council had net current service expenditure of £18.2m in 2024-25, about £162 for each of its 112,163 residents. By total budget it is 89th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£18.2m
Spend per resident
£162
86th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
112,163
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
89th
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 Folkestone & Hythe Council spends its money

Folkestone & Hythe Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Environment£6.2m

    33.9% of the budget

  • Planning£3.8m

    20.6% of the budget

  • Housing£3.6m

    19.6% of the budget

  • Culture£3.4m

    18.6% of the budget

  • Central and other£2.8m

    15.2% 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 Folkestone & Hythe

Across six benefits, £254.9m was paid out in Folkestone & Hythe in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,272 per resident. That is 107th highest of 315 areas per person and 172nd by total pounds, and 6.1% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Folkestone & Hythe by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£140.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£67.4m
  • Housing Benefit£19.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£18.7m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£10.5m
  • Carer's Allowance£9.9m

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

Folkestone & Hythe Council: common questions

How much does Folkestone & Hythe Council spend?

Folkestone & Hythe Council had net current service expenditure of £18.2m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Folkestone & Hythe Council spend per resident?

About £162 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £18.2m and an ONS population estimate of 112,163. That is 86th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Folkestone & Hythe Council spend most on?

Environment is the largest service line at £6.2m, 33.9% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Folkestone & Hythe?

£254.9m 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 £2,272 per resident. That ranks 107th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.