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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Oldham Council budget and spending

Oldham Council had net current service expenditure of £525.9m in 2024-25, about £2,087 for each of its 251,915 residents. By total budget it is 76th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£525.9m
Spend per resident
£2,087
90th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
251,915
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
76th
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 Oldham Council spends its money

Oldham Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£229.9m

    43.7% of the budget

  • Adult social care£104.7m

    19.9% of the budget

  • Children's social care£86.2m

    16.4% of the budget

  • Central and other£24.1m

    4.6% of the budget

  • Public health£19.8m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Culture£16.0m

    3.0% of the budget

  • Environment£14.5m

    2.8% of the budget

  • Housing£14.1m

    2.7% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£10.0m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Planning£6.6m

    1.2% 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 Oldham

Across six benefits, £686.9m was paid out in Oldham in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,727 per resident. That is 46th highest of 315 areas per person and 57th by total pounds, and 27.3% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Oldham by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£446.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£154.4m
  • Disability Living Allowance£42.3m
  • Housing Benefit£34.8m
  • Carer's Allowance£28.9m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£21.3m

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

Oldham Council: common questions

How much does Oldham Council spend?

Oldham Council had net current service expenditure of £525.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Oldham Council spend per resident?

About £2,087 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £525.9m and an ONS population estimate of 251,915. That is 90th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Oldham Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £229.9m, 43.7% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 36.3% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Oldham?

£686.9m 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 £2,727 per resident. That ranks 46th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.