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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Isle of Wight Council budget and spending

Isle of Wight Council had net current service expenditure of £305.4m in 2024-25, about £2,169 for each of its 140,777 residents. By total budget it is 150th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£305.4m
Spend per resident
£2,169
74th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
140,777
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
150th
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 Isle of Wight Council spends its money

Isle of Wight Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£118.4m

    38.8% of the budget

  • Adult social care£87.2m

    28.6% of the budget

  • Children's social care£42.2m

    13.8% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£13.4m

    4.4% of the budget

  • Environment£10.6m

    3.5% of the budget

  • Public health£9.5m

    3.1% of the budget

  • Central and other£6.9m

    2.3% of the budget

  • Housing£6.9m

    2.3% of the budget

  • Planning£6.1m

    2.0% of the budget

  • Culture£4.2m

    1.4% 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 Isle of Wight

Across six benefits, £322.6m was paid out in Isle of Wight in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,291 per resident. That is 105th highest of 315 areas per person and 138th by total pounds, and 7.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Isle of Wight by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£175.7m
  • Personal Independence Payment£84.5m
  • Disability Living Allowance£27.6m
  • Housing Benefit£22.6m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£13.3m
  • Carer's Allowance£11.0m

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

Isle of Wight Council: common questions

How much does Isle of Wight Council spend?

Isle of Wight Council had net current service expenditure of £305.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Isle of Wight Council spend per resident?

About £2,169 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £305.4m and an ONS population estimate of 140,777. That is 74th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Isle of Wight Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £118.4m, 38.8% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 42.4% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Isle of Wight?

£322.6m 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 £2,291 per resident. That ranks 105th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.