NumbersDeckOpen the map

England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Lambeth Council budget and spending

Lambeth Council had net current service expenditure of £802.9m in 2024-25, about £2,555 for each of its 314,298 residents. By total budget it is 23rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£802.9m
Spend per resident
£2,555
59th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
314,298
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
23rd
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 Lambeth Council spends its money

Lambeth Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£329.3m

    41.0% of the budget

  • Adult social care£145.5m

    18.1% of the budget

  • Children's social care£122.4m

    15.2% of the budget

  • Housing£91.1m

    11.3% of the budget

  • Environment£41.6m

    5.2% of the budget

  • Public health£41.0m

    5.1% of the budget

  • Central and other£26.3m

    3.3% of the budget

  • Planning£13.7m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Culture£12.0m

    1.5% 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 Lambeth

Across six benefits, £896.4m was paid out in Lambeth in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,852 per resident. That is 34th highest of 315 areas per person and 27th by total pounds, and 33.1% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Lambeth by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£605.7m
  • Personal Independence Payment£138.5m
  • Housing Benefit£129.9m
  • Disability Living Allowance£32.5m
  • Carer's Allowance£16.2m
  • 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

Lambeth Council: common questions

How much does Lambeth Council spend?

Lambeth Council had net current service expenditure of £802.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Lambeth Council spend per resident?

About £2,555 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £802.9m and an ONS population estimate of 314,298. That is 59th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Lambeth Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £329.3m, 41.0% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 33.4% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Lambeth?

£896.4m 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 £2,852 per resident. That ranks 34th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.