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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Richmond upon Thames Council budget and spending

Richmond upon Thames Council had net current service expenditure of £396.7m in 2024-25, about £2,017 for each of its 196,713 residents. By total budget it is 120th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£396.7m
Spend per resident
£2,017
99th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
196,713
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
120th
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 Richmond upon Thames Council spends its money

Richmond upon Thames Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£169.4m

    42.7% of the budget

  • Adult social care£89.7m

    22.6% of the budget

  • Children's social care£51.9m

    13.1% of the budget

  • Housing£20.7m

    5.2% of the budget

  • Environment£15.7m

    4.0% of the budget

  • Culture£14.7m

    3.7% of the budget

  • Central and other£11.4m

    2.9% of the budget

  • Public health£11.2m

    2.8% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£6.2m

    1.6% of the budget

  • Planning£6.0m

    1.5% 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 Richmond upon Thames

Across six benefits, £265.3m was paid out in Richmond upon Thames in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,349 per resident. That is 273rd highest of 315 areas per person and 168th by total pounds, and 37.0% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Richmond upon Thames by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£170.2m
  • Personal Independence Payment£48.3m
  • Housing Benefit£30.6m
  • Disability Living Allowance£14.1m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£6.5m
  • Carer's Allowance£6.3m

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

Richmond upon Thames Council: common questions

How much does Richmond upon Thames Council spend?

Richmond upon Thames Council had net current service expenditure of £396.7m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Richmond upon Thames Council spend per resident?

About £2,017 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £396.7m and an ONS population estimate of 196,713. That is 99th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Richmond upon Thames Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £169.4m, 42.7% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much of Richmond upon Thames Council's budget goes on social care?

Adult and children's social care together take 35.7% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Richmond upon Thames?

£265.3m 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 £1,349 per resident. That ranks 273rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.