England · district councils · 2024-25
Lancaster Council budget and spending
Lancaster Council had net current service expenditure of £27.9m in 2024-25, about £192 for each of its 145,237 residents. By total budget it is 23rd highest of 164 district councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £27.9m
- Spend per resident
- £192
- 35th of 164 district councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 145,237
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 23rd
- of 164 district 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 Lancaster Council spends its money
- Environment£7.9m
28.4% of the budget
- Central and other£7.1m
25.5% of the budget
- Planning£6.1m
21.7% of the budget
- Culture£4.9m
17.4% of the budget
- Housing£4.3m
15.3% of the budget
- Children's social care£19,000
0.1% of the budget
District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.
Benefits spending in Lancaster
Across six benefits, £289.2m was paid out in Lancaster in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,991 per resident. That is 144th highest of 315 areas per person and 144th by total pounds, and 7.0% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£166.3m
- Personal Independence Payment£76.7m
- Disability Living Allowance£19.8m
- Housing Benefit£19.4m
- Employment and Support Allowance£12.4m
- Carer's Allowance£9.0m
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
Lancaster Council: common questions
How much does Lancaster Council spend?
Lancaster Council had net current service expenditure of £27.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Lancaster Council spend per resident?
About £192 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £27.9m and an ONS population estimate of 145,237. That is 35th highest of 164 district councils.
What does Lancaster Council spend most on?
Environment is the largest service line at £7.9m, 28.4% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Lancaster?
£289.2m 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 £1,991 per resident. That ranks 144th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.