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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Plymouth Council budget and spending

Plymouth Council had net current service expenditure of £462.1m in 2024-25, about £1,703 for each of its 271,361 residents. By total budget it is 98th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£462.1m
Spend per resident
£1,703
151st of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
271,361
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
98th
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 Plymouth Council spends its money

Plymouth Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£141.8m

    30.7% of the budget

  • Adult social care£121.3m

    26.3% of the budget

  • Children's social care£92.7m

    20.1% of the budget

  • Environment£25.3m

    5.5% of the budget

  • Public health£22.0m

    4.8% of the budget

  • Culture£17.4m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Central and other£15.8m

    3.4% of the budget

  • Housing£13.2m

    2.8% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£12.9m

    2.8% 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 Plymouth

Across six benefits, £656.6m was paid out in Plymouth in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,420 per resident. That is 82nd highest of 315 areas per person and 65th by total pounds, and 13.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Plymouth by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£372.8m
  • Personal Independence Payment£171.2m
  • Housing Benefit£48.6m
  • Disability Living Allowance£46.4m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£25.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£20.5m

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

Plymouth Council: common questions

How much does Plymouth Council spend?

Plymouth Council had net current service expenditure of £462.1m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Plymouth Council spend per resident?

About £1,703 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £462.1m and an ONS population estimate of 271,361. That is 151st highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Plymouth Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £141.8m, 30.7% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 46.3% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Plymouth?

£656.6m 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 £2,420 per resident. That ranks 82nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.