Wales · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Newport Council budget and spending

Newport Council had net current service expenditure of £541.5m in 2024-25, about £3,212 for each of its 168,584 residents. By total budget it is 72nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£541.5m
Spend per resident
£3,212
17th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
168,584
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
72nd
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 Newport Council spends its money

Newport Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Total revenue expenditure£541.5m

    100.0% 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.

Benefits spending in Newport

Across six benefits, £426.2m was paid out in Newport in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,528 per resident. That is 69th highest of 315 areas per person and 107th by total pounds, and 18.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Newport by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£251.0m
  • Personal Independence Payment£112.0m
  • Housing Benefit£27.2m
  • Disability Living Allowance£24.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£16.2m
  • Carer's Allowance£15.6m

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

Newport Council: common questions

How much does Newport Council spend?

Newport Council had net current service expenditure of £541.5m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Newport Council spend per resident?

About £3,212 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £541.5m and an ONS population estimate of 168,584. That is 17th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Newport Council spend most on?

Total revenue expenditure is the largest service line at £541.5m, 100.0% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Newport?

£426.2m 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 £2,528 per resident. That ranks 69th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.