England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Merton Council budget and spending
Merton Council had net current service expenditure of £470.6m in 2024-25, about £2,150 for each of its 218,891 residents. By total budget it is 93rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £470.6m
- Spend per resident
- £2,150
- 81st of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 218,891
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 93rd
- 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 Merton Council spends its money
- Education£270.0m
57.4% of the budget
- Adult social care£75.2m
16.0% of the budget
- Children's social care£51.3m
10.9% of the budget
- Environment£22.6m
4.8% of the budget
- Housing£18.3m
3.9% of the budget
- Central and other£13.9m
2.9% of the budget
- Public health£12.8m
2.7% of the budget
- Culture£7.7m
1.6% of the budget
- Highways and transport£1.3m
0.3% 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 Merton
Across six benefits, £408.3m was paid out in Merton in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,865 per resident. That is 170th highest of 315 areas per person and 112th by total pounds, and 12.9% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£276.2m
- Personal Independence Payment£66.2m
- Housing Benefit£44.6m
- Disability Living Allowance£20.5m
- Carer's Allowance£10.0m
- Employment and Support Allowance£8.3m
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
Merton Council: common questions
How much does Merton Council spend?
Merton Council had net current service expenditure of £470.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Merton Council spend per resident?
About £2,150 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £470.6m and an ONS population estimate of 218,891. That is 81st highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Merton Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £270.0m, 57.4% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of Merton Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 26.9% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in Merton?
£408.3m 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 £1,865 per resident. That ranks 170th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.