England · district councils · 2024-25
Guildford Council budget and spending
Guildford Council had net current service expenditure of £22.6m in 2024-25, about £148 for each of its 152,148 residents. By total budget it is 57th highest of 164 district councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £22.6m
- Spend per resident
- £148
- 108th of 164 district councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 152,148
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 57th
- 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 Guildford Council spends its money
- Central and other£20.5m
90.6% of the budget
- Environment£5.6m
25.0% of the budget
- Culture£3.8m
17.0% of the budget
- Housing£2.5m
11.3% of the budget
- Adult social care£572,000
2.5% of the budget
- Children's social care£208,000
0.9% 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 Guildford
Across six benefits, £177.3m was paid out in Guildford in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,165 per resident. That is 301st highest of 315 areas per person and 252nd by total pounds, and 45.6% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£105.7m
- Personal Independence Payment£36.5m
- Housing Benefit£17.2m
- Disability Living Allowance£14.8m
- Employment and Support Allowance£5.8m
- Carer's Allowance£5.5m
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
Guildford Council: common questions
How much does Guildford Council spend?
Guildford Council had net current service expenditure of £22.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Guildford Council spend per resident?
About £148 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £22.6m and an ONS population estimate of 152,148. That is 108th highest of 164 district councils.
What does Guildford Council spend most on?
Central and other is the largest service line at £20.5m, 90.6% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Guildford?
£177.3m 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 £1,165 per resident. That ranks 301st of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.