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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Leeds Council budget and spending

Leeds Council had net current service expenditure of £1.6bn in 2024-25, about £1,940 for each of its 840,550 residents. By total budget it is 3rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£1.6bn
Spend per resident
£1,940
110th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
840,550
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
3rd
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 Leeds Council spends its money

Leeds Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£738.3m

    45.3% of the budget

  • Adult social care£322.7m

    19.8% of the budget

  • Children's social care£256.7m

    15.7% of the budget

  • Environment£94.4m

    5.8% of the budget

  • Public health£61.4m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Culture£59.1m

    3.6% of the budget

  • Central and other£35.9m

    2.2% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£23.1m

    1.4% of the budget

  • Housing£20.0m

    1.2% of the budget

  • Planning£19.3m

    1.2% 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 Leeds

Across six benefits, £1.8bn was paid out in Leeds in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,164 per resident. That is 122nd highest of 315 areas per person and 2nd by total pounds, and 1.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Leeds by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£1.1bn
  • Personal Independence Payment£409.9m
  • Housing Benefit£142.2m
  • Disability Living Allowance£97.0m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£64.3m
  • Carer's Allowance£56.2m

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

Leeds Council: common questions

How much does Leeds Council spend?

Leeds Council had net current service expenditure of £1.6bn in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Leeds Council spend per resident?

About £1,940 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £1.6bn and an ONS population estimate of 840,550. That is 110th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Leeds Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £738.3m, 45.3% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 35.5% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Leeds?

£1.8bn 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 £2,164 per resident. That ranks 122nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.