NumbersDeckOpen the map

England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Middlesbrough Council budget and spending

Middlesbrough Council had net current service expenditure of £296.0m in 2024-25, about £1,937 for each of its 152,795 residents. By total budget it is 154th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£296.0m
Spend per resident
£1,937
111th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
152,795
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
154th
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 Middlesbrough Council spends its money

Middlesbrough Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£83.7m

    28.3% of the budget

  • Children's social care£76.8m

    25.9% of the budget

  • Adult social care£70.5m

    23.8% of the budget

  • Public health£19.3m

    6.5% of the budget

  • Environment£15.9m

    5.4% of the budget

  • Housing£7.7m

    2.6% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£6.9m

    2.3% of the budget

  • Culture£6.3m

    2.1% of the budget

  • Planning£4.8m

    1.6% of the budget

  • Central and other£4.1m

    1.4% 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 Middlesbrough

Across six benefits, £477.1m was paid out in Middlesbrough in the 12 months to March 2026, about £3,122 per resident. That is 16th highest of 315 areas per person and 93rd by total pounds, and 45.8% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Middlesbrough by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£296.8m
  • Personal Independence Payment£116.6m
  • Housing Benefit£32.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£24.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£18.6m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£15.0m

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

Middlesbrough Council: common questions

How much does Middlesbrough Council spend?

Middlesbrough Council had net current service expenditure of £296.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Middlesbrough Council spend per resident?

About £1,937 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £296.0m and an ONS population estimate of 152,795. That is 111th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Middlesbrough Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £83.7m, 28.3% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 49.8% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Middlesbrough?

£477.1m 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 £3,122 per resident. That ranks 16th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.