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England · district councils · 2024-25

Lewes Council budget and spending

Lewes Council had net current service expenditure of £23.6m in 2024-25, about £230 for each of its 102,648 residents. By total budget it is 49th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£23.6m
Spend per resident
£230
8th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
102,648
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
49th
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 Lewes Council spends its money

Lewes Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Central and other£11.8m

    50.0% of the budget

  • Environment£6.3m

    26.6% of the budget

  • Planning£2.2m

    9.2% of the budget

  • Culture£2.0m

    8.4% of the budget

  • Housing£1.5m

    6.2% 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 Lewes

Across six benefits, £199.7m was paid out in Lewes in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,945 per resident. That is 152nd highest of 315 areas per person and 227th by total pounds, and 9.2% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Lewes by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£117.4m
  • Personal Independence Payment£45.6m
  • Disability Living Allowance£16.8m
  • Housing Benefit£16.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£7.3m
  • Carer's Allowance£5.5m

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

Lewes Council: common questions

How much does Lewes Council spend?

Lewes Council had net current service expenditure of £23.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Lewes Council spend per resident?

About £230 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £23.6m and an ONS population estimate of 102,648. That is 8th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Lewes Council spend most on?

Central and other is the largest service line at £11.8m, 50.0% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Lewes?

£199.7m 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 £1,945 per resident. That ranks 152nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.