England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
South Gloucestershire Council budget and spending
South Gloucestershire Council had net current service expenditure of £508.4m in 2024-25, about £1,646 for each of its 308,787 residents. By total budget it is 82nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £508.4m
- Spend per resident
- £1,646
- 163rd of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 308,787
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 82nd
- 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 South Gloucestershire Council spends its money
- Education£187.1m
36.8% of the budget
- Adult social care£151.3m
29.8% of the budget
- Children's social care£62.8m
12.4% of the budget
- Environment£37.5m
7.4% of the budget
- Central and other£23.7m
4.7% of the budget
- Highways and transport£16.3m
3.2% of the budget
- Public health£10.7m
2.1% of the budget
- Culture£7.0m
1.4% of the budget
- Housing£6.4m
1.3% of the budget
- Planning£5.7m
1.1% 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 South Gloucestershire
Across six benefits, £467.0m was paid out in South Gloucestershire in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,512 per resident. That is 229th highest of 315 areas per person and 95th by total pounds, and 29.4% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£278.2m
- Personal Independence Payment£114.2m
- Disability Living Allowance£35.9m
- Housing Benefit£28.9m
- Employment and Support Allowance£18.3m
- Carer's Allowance£13.8m
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
South Gloucestershire Council: common questions
How much does South Gloucestershire Council spend?
South Gloucestershire Council had net current service expenditure of £508.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does South Gloucestershire Council spend per resident?
About £1,646 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £508.4m and an ONS population estimate of 308,787. That is 163rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does South Gloucestershire Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £187.1m, 36.8% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of South Gloucestershire Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 42.1% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in South Gloucestershire?
£467.0m 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 £1,512 per resident. That ranks 229th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.