England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Kensington & Chelsea Council budget and spending
Kensington & Chelsea Council had net current service expenditure of £348.3m in 2024-25, about £2,390 for each of its 145,734 residents. By total budget it is 136th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £348.3m
- Spend per resident
- £2,390
- 68th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 145,734
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 136th
- 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 Kensington & Chelsea Council spends its money
- Education£105.5m
30.3% of the budget
- Adult social care£71.1m
20.4% of the budget
- Children's social care£50.3m
14.4% of the budget
- Housing£44.6m
12.8% of the budget
- Environment£41.9m
12.0% of the budget
- Public health£26.2m
7.5% of the budget
- Central and other£15.6m
4.5% of the budget
- Culture£14.6m
4.2% of the budget
- Planning£12.6m
3.6% 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 Kensington & Chelsea
Across six benefits, £343.9m was paid out in Kensington & Chelsea in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,360 per resident. That is 91st highest of 315 areas per person and 130th by total pounds, and 10.2% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£208.6m
- Housing Benefit£65.9m
- Personal Independence Payment£54.4m
- Disability Living Allowance£13.8m
- Carer's Allowance£6.6m
- Employment and Support Allowance£6.3m
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
Kensington & Chelsea Council: common questions
How much does Kensington & Chelsea Council spend?
Kensington & Chelsea Council had net current service expenditure of £348.3m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Kensington & Chelsea Council spend per resident?
About £2,390 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £348.3m and an ONS population estimate of 145,734. That is 68th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Kensington & Chelsea Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £105.5m, 30.3% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of Kensington & Chelsea Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 34.8% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in Kensington & Chelsea?
£343.9m 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 £2,360 per resident. That ranks 91st of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.