NumbersDeckOpen the map

England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Rochdale Council budget and spending

Rochdale Council had net current service expenditure of £511.9m in 2024-25, about £2,154 for each of its 237,641 residents. By total budget it is 80th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£511.9m
Spend per resident
£2,154
78th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
237,641
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
80th
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 Rochdale Council spends its money

Rochdale Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£237.6m

    46.4% of the budget

  • Adult social care£104.7m

    20.5% of the budget

  • Children's social care£73.1m

    14.3% of the budget

  • Public health£22.1m

    4.3% of the budget

  • Central and other£16.4m

    3.2% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£13.7m

    2.7% of the budget

  • Culture£13.2m

    2.6% of the budget

  • Environment£12.8m

    2.5% of the budget

  • Planning£10.9m

    2.1% of the budget

  • Housing£7.4m

    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 Rochdale

Across six benefits, £672.2m was paid out in Rochdale in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,829 per resident. That is 35th highest of 315 areas per person and 62nd by total pounds, and 32.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Rochdale by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£414.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£150.1m
  • Housing Benefit£54.8m
  • Disability Living Allowance£43.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£23.9m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£22.4m

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

Rochdale Council: common questions

How much does Rochdale Council spend?

Rochdale Council had net current service expenditure of £511.9m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Rochdale Council spend per resident?

About £2,154 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £511.9m and an ONS population estimate of 237,641. That is 78th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Rochdale Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £237.6m, 46.4% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 34.7% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Rochdale?

£672.2m 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 £2,829 per resident. That ranks 35th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.