England · district councils · 2024-25
Preston Council budget and spending
Preston Council had net current service expenditure of £33.5m in 2024-25, about £203 for each of its 164,498 residents. By total budget it is 12th highest of 164 district councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £33.5m
- Spend per resident
- £203
- 25th of 164 district councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 164,498
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 12th
- 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 Preston Council spends its money
- Planning£8.2m
24.4% of the budget
- Environment£8.2m
24.4% of the budget
- Central and other£7.4m
22.0% of the budget
- Housing£4.9m
14.5% of the budget
- Culture£4.5m
13.5% of the budget
- Highways and transport£290,000
0.9% of the budget
- Public health£108,000
0.3% 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 Preston
Across six benefits, £380.5m was paid out in Preston in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,313 per resident. That is 102nd highest of 315 areas per person and 120th by total pounds, and 8.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£231.4m
- Personal Independence Payment£93.9m
- Housing Benefit£29.5m
- Disability Living Allowance£19.4m
- Employment and Support Allowance£13.9m
- Carer's Allowance£12.8m
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
Preston Council: common questions
How much does Preston Council spend?
Preston Council had net current service expenditure of £33.5m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Preston Council spend per resident?
About £203 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £33.5m and an ONS population estimate of 164,498. That is 25th highest of 164 district councils.
What does Preston Council spend most on?
Planning is the largest service line at £8.2m, 24.4% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Preston?
£380.5m 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 £2,313 per resident. That ranks 102nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.