England · district councils · 2024-25

Newcastle-under-Lyme Council budget and spending

Newcastle-under-Lyme Council had net current service expenditure of £28.9m in 2024-25, about £226 for each of its 128,093 residents. By total budget it is 20th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£28.9m
Spend per resident
£226
10th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
128,093
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
20th
of 164 district 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 Newcastle-under-Lyme Council spends its money

Newcastle-under-Lyme Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Planning£10.7m

    36.9% of the budget

  • Environment£8.7m

    30.0% of the budget

  • Housing£4.2m

    14.6% of the budget

  • Central and other£3.2m

    11.1% of the budget

  • Culture£2.4m

    8.2% of the budget

District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.

Benefits spending in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Across six benefits, £231.8m was paid out in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,810 per resident. That is 186th highest of 315 areas per person and 192nd by total pounds, and 15.5% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Newcastle-under-Lyme by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£125.7m
  • Personal Independence Payment£67.1m
  • Housing Benefit£16.0m
  • Disability Living Allowance£14.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£12.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£8.2m

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

Newcastle-under-Lyme Council: common questions

How much does Newcastle-under-Lyme Council spend?

Newcastle-under-Lyme Council had net current service expenditure of £28.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Newcastle-under-Lyme Council spend per resident?

About £226 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £28.9m and an ONS population estimate of 128,093. That is 10th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Newcastle-under-Lyme Council spend most on?

Planning is the largest service line at £10.7m, 36.9% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Newcastle-under-Lyme?

£231.8m 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 £1,810 per resident. That ranks 186th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.