Scotland · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Midlothian Council budget and spending

Midlothian Council had net current service expenditure of £282.5m in 2024-25, about £2,814 for each of its 100,390 residents. By total budget it is 160th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£282.5m
Spend per resident
£2,814
38th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
100,390
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
160th
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 Midlothian Council spends its money

Midlothian Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£165.0m

    58.4% of the budget

  • Social work£85.0m

    30.1% of the budget

  • Environment£11.4m

    4.0% of the budget

  • Housing (non-HRA)£10.2m

    3.6% of the budget

  • Culture£9.5m

    3.4% of the budget

  • Roads and transport£7.1m

    2.5% of the budget

  • Central services£5.7m

    2.0% 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.

Councils with similar spend per resident

Midlothian Council: common questions

How much does Midlothian Council spend?

Midlothian Council had net current service expenditure of £282.5m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Midlothian Council spend per resident?

About £2,814 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £282.5m and an ONS population estimate of 100,390. That is 38th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Midlothian Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £165.0m, 58.4% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 30.1% of net service spending in 2024-25.