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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Milton Keynes Council budget and spending

Milton Keynes Council had net current service expenditure of £520.4m in 2024-25, about £1,685 for each of its 308,866 residents. By total budget it is 78th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£520.4m
Spend per resident
£1,685
155th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
308,866
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
78th
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 Milton Keynes Council spends its money

Milton Keynes Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£226.6m

    43.5% of the budget

  • Adult social care£112.0m

    21.5% of the budget

  • Children's social care£80.8m

    15.5% of the budget

  • Environment£30.2m

    5.8% of the budget

  • Housing£19.1m

    3.7% of the budget

  • Central and other£14.6m

    2.8% of the budget

  • Public health£14.0m

    2.7% of the budget

  • Culture£8.9m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£7.6m

    1.5% of the budget

  • Planning£6.6m

    1.3% 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 Milton Keynes

Across six benefits, £594.9m was paid out in Milton Keynes in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,926 per resident. That is 158th highest of 315 areas per person and 73rd by total pounds, and 10.1% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Milton Keynes by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£391.2m
  • Personal Independence Payment£122.1m
  • Housing Benefit£43.5m
  • Disability Living Allowance£38.1m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£16.8m
  • Carer's Allowance£15.9m

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

Milton Keynes Council: common questions

How much does Milton Keynes Council spend?

Milton Keynes Council had net current service expenditure of £520.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Milton Keynes Council spend per resident?

About £1,685 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £520.4m and an ONS population estimate of 308,866. That is 155th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Milton Keynes Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £226.6m, 43.5% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 37.1% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Milton Keynes?

£594.9m 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 £1,926 per resident. That ranks 158th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.