England · district councils · 2024-25
Forest of Dean Council budget and spending
Forest of Dean Council had net current service expenditure of £15.8m in 2024-25, about £175 for each of its 90,157 residents. By total budget it is 116th highest of 164 district councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £15.8m
- Spend per resident
- £175
- 60th of 164 district councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 90,157
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 116th
- 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 Forest of Dean Council spends its money
- Environment£5.3m
33.6% of the budget
- Central and other£5.1m
32.1% of the budget
- Planning£3.4m
21.3% of the budget
- Housing£1.6m
9.8% of the budget
- Culture£474,000
3.0% of the budget
- Highways and transport£42,000
0.3% 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 Forest of Dean
Across six benefits, £153.2m was paid out in Forest of Dean in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,699 per resident. That is 204th highest of 315 areas per person and 272nd by total pounds, and 20.7% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£84.2m
- Personal Independence Payment£40.0m
- Housing Benefit£12.1m
- Disability Living Allowance£10.7m
- Employment and Support Allowance£8.3m
- Carer's Allowance£5.3m
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
Forest of Dean Council: common questions
How much does Forest of Dean Council spend?
Forest of Dean Council had net current service expenditure of £15.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Forest of Dean Council spend per resident?
About £175 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £15.8m and an ONS population estimate of 90,157. That is 60th highest of 164 district councils.
What does Forest of Dean Council spend most on?
Environment is the largest service line at £5.3m, 33.6% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Forest of Dean?
£153.2m 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 £1,699 per resident. That ranks 204th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.