Wales · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Powys Council budget and spending
Powys Council had net current service expenditure of £430.4m in 2024-25, about £3,192 for each of its 134,843 residents. By total budget it is 107th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £430.4m
- Spend per resident
- £3,192
- 18th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 134,843
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 107th
- 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 Powys Council spends its money
- Total revenue expenditure£430.4m
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 Powys
Across six benefits, £234.9m was paid out in Powys in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,742 per resident. That is 195th highest of 315 areas per person and 190th by total pounds, and 18.7% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£121.4m
- Personal Independence Payment£72.7m
- Housing Benefit£16.8m
- Disability Living Allowance£14.7m
- Employment and Support Allowance£13.3m
- Carer's Allowance£7.5m
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
Powys Council: common questions
How much does Powys Council spend?
Powys Council had net current service expenditure of £430.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Powys Council spend per resident?
About £3,192 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £430.4m and an ONS population estimate of 134,843. That is 18th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Powys Council spend most on?
Total revenue expenditure is the largest service line at £430.4m, 100.0% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Powys?
£234.9m 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 £1,742 per resident. That ranks 195th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.