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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Islington Council budget and spending

Islington Council had net current service expenditure of £610.3m in 2024-25, about £2,718 for each of its 224,551 residents. By total budget it is 53rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£610.3m
Spend per resident
£2,718
46th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
224,551
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
53rd
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 Islington Council spends its money

Islington Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£205.3m

    33.6% of the budget

  • Adult social care£114.9m

    18.8% of the budget

  • Central and other£95.1m

    15.6% of the budget

  • Children's social care£95.0m

    15.6% of the budget

  • Public health£35.4m

    5.8% of the budget

  • Housing£34.5m

    5.7% of the budget

  • Environment£30.7m

    5.0% of the budget

  • Planning£13.3m

    2.2% of the budget

  • Culture£8.8m

    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 Islington

Across six benefits, £770.8m was paid out in Islington in the 12 months to March 2026, about £3,433 per resident. That is 6th highest of 315 areas per person and 42nd by total pounds, and 60.2% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Islington by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£498.0m
  • Personal Independence Payment£129.1m
  • Housing Benefit£108.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£34.3m
  • Carer's Allowance£18.9m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£15.5m

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

Islington Council: common questions

How much does Islington Council spend?

Islington Council had net current service expenditure of £610.3m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Islington Council spend per resident?

About £2,718 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £610.3m and an ONS population estimate of 224,551. That is 46th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Islington Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £205.3m, 33.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 34.4% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Islington?

£770.8m 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 £3,433 per resident. That ranks 6th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.