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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Greenwich Council budget and spending

Greenwich Council had net current service expenditure of £727.4m in 2024-25, about £2,415 for each of its 301,225 residents. By total budget it is 33rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£727.4m
Spend per resident
£2,415
67th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
301,225
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
33rd
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 Greenwich Council spends its money

Greenwich Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£345.1m

    47.4% of the budget

  • Adult social care£127.1m

    17.5% of the budget

  • Children's social care£98.5m

    13.5% of the budget

  • Environment£44.8m

    6.2% of the budget

  • Public health£32.1m

    4.4% of the budget

  • Culture£31.4m

    4.3% of the budget

  • Housing£22.8m

    3.1% of the budget

  • Planning£10.6m

    1.5% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£10.6m

    1.5% of the budget

  • Central and other£4.3m

    0.6% 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 Greenwich

Across six benefits, £823.9m was paid out in Greenwich in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,735 per resident. That is 43rd highest of 315 areas per person and 33rd by total pounds, and 27.7% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Greenwich by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£550.4m
  • Personal Independence Payment£138.3m
  • Housing Benefit£97.8m
  • Disability Living Allowance£42.7m
  • Carer's Allowance£21.1m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£16.0m

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

Greenwich Council: common questions

How much does Greenwich Council spend?

Greenwich Council had net current service expenditure of £727.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Greenwich Council spend per resident?

About £2,415 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £727.4m and an ONS population estimate of 301,225. That is 67th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Greenwich Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £345.1m, 47.4% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 31.0% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Greenwich?

£823.9m 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 £2,735 per resident. That ranks 43rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.