NumbersDeckOpen the map

England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Somerset Council budget and spending

Somerset Council had net current service expenditure of £1.0bn in 2024-25, about £1,709 for each of its 590,972 residents. By total budget it is 14th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£1.0bn
Spend per resident
£1,709
150th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
590,972
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
14th
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.

Is Somerset Council in financial difficulty?

Somerset Council was agreed Exceptional Financial Support of £63m for 2025-26, according to public reporting and MHCLG.

The council outturn data carries no deficit field, so this comes from public reporting on Section 114 notices and MHCLG Exceptional Financial Support rather than from the budget figures on this page.

Where Somerset Council spends its money

Somerset Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£338.1m

    33.5% of the budget

  • Adult social care£288.0m

    28.5% of the budget

  • Children's social care£147.7m

    14.6% of the budget

  • Environment£71.4m

    7.1% of the budget

  • Central and other£37.2m

    3.7% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£33.0m

    3.3% of the budget

  • Public health£27.7m

    2.7% of the budget

  • Planning£24.1m

    2.4% of the budget

  • Housing£22.6m

    2.2% of the budget

  • Culture£20.2m

    2.0% 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 Somerset

Across six benefits, £983.4m was paid out in Somerset in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,664 per resident. That is 209th highest of 315 areas per person and 17th by total pounds, and 22.3% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Somerset by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£567.1m
  • Personal Independence Payment£249.6m
  • Housing Benefit£73.8m
  • Disability Living Allowance£66.8m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£42.7m
  • Carer's Allowance£30.8m

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

Somerset Council: common questions

How much does Somerset Council spend?

Somerset Council had net current service expenditure of £1.0bn in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Somerset Council spend per resident?

About £1,709 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £1.0bn and an ONS population estimate of 590,972. That is 150th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Somerset Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £338.1m, 33.5% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 43.1% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Somerset?

£983.4m 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 £1,664 per resident. That ranks 209th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.

Is Somerset Council in financial difficulty?

Somerset Council was agreed Exceptional Financial Support of £63m for 2025-26, according to public reporting and MHCLG.