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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Shropshire Council budget and spending

Shropshire Council had net current service expenditure of £531.0m in 2024-25, about £1,594 for each of its 333,162 residents. By total budget it is 75th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£531.0m
Spend per resident
£1,594
167th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
333,162
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
75th
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 Shropshire Council spends its money

Shropshire Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£177.4m

    33.4% of the budget

  • Adult social care£162.6m

    30.6% of the budget

  • Children's social care£80.9m

    15.2% of the budget

  • Environment£27.9m

    5.3% of the budget

  • Central and other£20.4m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£18.8m

    3.5% of the budget

  • Public health£15.6m

    2.9% of the budget

  • Culture£10.0m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Planning£8.8m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Housing£8.4m

    1.6% 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 Shropshire

Across six benefits, £494.1m was paid out in Shropshire in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,483 per resident. That is 239th highest of 315 areas per person and 88th by total pounds, and 30.8% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Shropshire by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£264.7m
  • Personal Independence Payment£140.8m
  • Housing Benefit£39.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£32.6m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£24.6m
  • Carer's Allowance£16.6m

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

Shropshire Council: common questions

How much does Shropshire Council spend?

Shropshire Council had net current service expenditure of £531.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Shropshire Council spend per resident?

About £1,594 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £531.0m and an ONS population estimate of 333,162. That is 167th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Shropshire Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £177.4m, 33.4% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 45.9% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Shropshire?

£494.1m 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 £1,483 per resident. That ranks 239th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.