Wales · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Merthyr Tydfil Council budget and spending
Merthyr Tydfil Council had net current service expenditure of £216.2m in 2024-25, about £3,705 for each of its 58,362 residents. By total budget it is 176th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £216.2m
- Spend per resident
- £3,705
- 7th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 58,362
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 176th
- 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 Merthyr Tydfil Council spends its money
- Total revenue expenditure£216.2m
100.0% 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 Merthyr Tydfil
Across six benefits, £194.8m was paid out in Merthyr Tydfil in the 12 months to March 2026, about £3,339 per resident. That is 11th highest of 315 areas per person and 232nd by total pounds, and 55.9% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£103.4m
- Personal Independence Payment£59.6m
- Disability Living Allowance£13.5m
- Employment and Support Allowance£10.5m
- Housing Benefit£9.2m
- Carer's Allowance£7.8m
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
Merthyr Tydfil Council: common questions
How much does Merthyr Tydfil Council spend?
Merthyr Tydfil Council had net current service expenditure of £216.2m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Merthyr Tydfil Council spend per resident?
About £3,705 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £216.2m and an ONS population estimate of 58,362. That is 7th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Merthyr Tydfil Council spend most on?
Total revenue expenditure is the largest service line at £216.2m, 100.0% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Merthyr Tydfil?
£194.8m 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 £3,339 per resident. That ranks 11th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.