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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

North Yorkshire Council budget and spending

North Yorkshire Council had net current service expenditure of £1.1bn in 2024-25, about £1,697 for each of its 639,133 residents. By total budget it is 9th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£1.1bn
Spend per resident
£1,697
154th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
639,133
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
9th
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 North Yorkshire Council spends its money

North Yorkshire Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£430.5m

    39.7% of the budget

  • Adult social care£303.9m

    28.0% of the budget

  • Environment£88.4m

    8.2% of the budget

  • Children's social care£86.3m

    8.0% of the budget

  • Central and other£38.2m

    3.5% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£36.4m

    3.4% of the budget

  • Culture£31.0m

    2.9% of the budget

  • Public health£28.0m

    2.6% of the budget

  • Planning£27.2m

    2.5% of the budget

  • Housing£15.1m

    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 North Yorkshire

Across six benefits, £919.1m was paid out in North Yorkshire in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,438 per resident. That is 253rd highest of 315 areas per person and 24th by total pounds, and 32.9% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in North Yorkshire by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£501.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£242.5m
  • Housing Benefit£75.0m
  • Disability Living Allowance£71.0m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£43.8m
  • Carer's Allowance£30.4m

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

North Yorkshire Council: common questions

How much does North Yorkshire Council spend?

North Yorkshire Council had net current service expenditure of £1.1bn in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does North Yorkshire Council spend per resident?

About £1,697 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £1.1bn and an ONS population estimate of 639,133. That is 154th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does North Yorkshire Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £430.5m, 39.7% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 36.0% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in North Yorkshire?

£919.1m 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 £1,438 per resident. That ranks 253rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.