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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Rotherham Council budget and spending

Rotherham Council had net current service expenditure of £463.4m in 2024-25, about £1,660 for each of its 279,161 residents. By total budget it is 97th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£463.4m
Spend per resident
£1,660
159th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
279,161
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
97th
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 Rotherham Council spends its money

Rotherham Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Adult social care£135.7m

    29.3% of the budget

  • Education£130.0m

    28.1% of the budget

  • Children's social care£90.5m

    19.5% of the budget

  • Environment£26.1m

    5.6% of the budget

  • Central and other£24.4m

    5.3% of the budget

  • Public health£21.5m

    4.6% of the budget

  • Culture£16.8m

    3.6% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£7.4m

    1.6% of the budget

  • Housing£5.5m

    1.2% of the budget

  • Planning£5.3m

    1.2% 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 Rotherham

Across six benefits, £755.1m was paid out in Rotherham in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,705 per resident. That is 47th highest of 315 areas per person and 44th by total pounds, and 26.3% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Rotherham by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£420.1m
  • Personal Independence Payment£202.3m
  • Disability Living Allowance£56.5m
  • Housing Benefit£45.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£35.7m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£31.6m

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

Rotherham Council: common questions

How much does Rotherham Council spend?

Rotherham Council had net current service expenditure of £463.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Rotherham Council spend per resident?

About £1,660 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £463.4m and an ONS population estimate of 279,161. That is 159th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Rotherham Council spend most on?

Adult social care is the largest service line at £135.7m, 29.3% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 48.8% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Rotherham?

£755.1m 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 £2,705 per resident. That ranks 47th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.