Wales · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Gwynedd Council budget and spending

Gwynedd Council had net current service expenditure of £457.7m in 2024-25, about £3,805 for each of its 120,295 residents. By total budget it is 101st highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£457.7m
Spend per resident
£3,805
6th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
120,295
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
101st
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 Gwynedd Council spends its money

Gwynedd Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Total revenue expenditure£457.7m

    100.0% 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 Gwynedd

Across six benefits, £221.5m was paid out in Gwynedd in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,841 per resident. That is 178th highest of 315 areas per person and 205th by total pounds, and 14.0% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Gwynedd by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£123.7m
  • Personal Independence Payment£61.2m
  • Housing Benefit£15.8m
  • Disability Living Allowance£13.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£10.8m
  • Carer's Allowance£6.6m

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

Gwynedd Council: common questions

How much does Gwynedd Council spend?

Gwynedd Council had net current service expenditure of £457.7m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Gwynedd Council spend per resident?

About £3,805 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £457.7m and an ONS population estimate of 120,295. That is 6th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Gwynedd Council spend most on?

Total revenue expenditure is the largest service line at £457.7m, 100.0% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Gwynedd?

£221.5m 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 £1,841 per resident. That ranks 178th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.