England · district councils · 2024-25

Norwich City Council budget and spending

Norwich City Council had net current service expenditure of £30.2m in 2024-25, about £207 for each of its 145,676 residents. By total budget it is 15th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£30.2m
Spend per resident
£207
19th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
145,676
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
15th
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 Norwich City Council spends its money

Norwich City Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Central and other£12.0m

    39.8% of the budget

  • Environment£9.2m

    30.3% of the budget

  • Culture£4.5m

    14.8% of the budget

  • Housing£4.4m

    14.7% of the budget

  • Planning£3.8m

    12.7% of the budget

  • Public health£347,000

    1.1% 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 Norwich City

Across six benefits, £359.1m was paid out in Norwich City in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,465 per resident. That is 74th highest of 315 areas per person and 125th by total pounds, and 15.1% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Norwich City by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£221.2m
  • Personal Independence Payment£81.7m
  • Housing Benefit£32.5m
  • Disability Living Allowance£18.8m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£12.5m
  • Carer's Allowance£10.1m

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

Norwich City Council: common questions

How much does Norwich City Council spend?

Norwich City Council had net current service expenditure of £30.2m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Norwich City Council spend per resident?

About £207 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £30.2m and an ONS population estimate of 145,676. That is 19th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Norwich City Council spend most on?

Central and other is the largest service line at £12.0m, 39.8% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Norwich City?

£359.1m 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 £2,465 per resident. That ranks 74th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.