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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Hartlepool Council budget and spending

Hartlepool Council had net current service expenditure of £205.8m in 2024-25, about £2,065 for each of its 99,656 residents. By total budget it is 177th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£205.8m
Spend per resident
£2,065
91st of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
99,656
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
177th
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 Hartlepool Council spends its money

Hartlepool Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£62.9m

    30.6% of the budget

  • Children's social care£49.2m

    23.9% of the budget

  • Adult social care£46.8m

    22.8% of the budget

  • Public health£11.2m

    5.4% of the budget

  • Environment£9.7m

    4.7% of the budget

  • Culture£7.8m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£6.8m

    3.3% of the budget

  • Central and other£6.5m

    3.2% of the budget

  • Housing£2.9m

    1.4% of the budget

  • Planning£2.0m

    1.0% 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 Hartlepool

Across six benefits, £324.6m was paid out in Hartlepool in the 12 months to March 2026, about £3,257 per resident. That is 13th highest of 315 areas per person and 137th by total pounds, and 52.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Hartlepool by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£191.6m
  • Personal Independence Payment£86.5m
  • Housing Benefit£21.8m
  • Disability Living Allowance£17.6m
  • Carer's Allowance£13.5m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£10.8m

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

Hartlepool Council: common questions

How much does Hartlepool Council spend?

Hartlepool Council had net current service expenditure of £205.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Hartlepool Council spend per resident?

About £2,065 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £205.8m and an ONS population estimate of 99,656. That is 91st highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Hartlepool Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £62.9m, 30.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 46.7% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Hartlepool?

£324.6m 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 £3,257 per resident. That ranks 13th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.