England · district councils · 2024-25

South Ribble Council budget and spending

South Ribble Council had net current service expenditure of £21.0m in 2024-25, about £179 for each of its 117,554 residents. By total budget it is 64th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£21.0m
Spend per resident
£179
55th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
117,554
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
64th
of 164 district 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 Ribble Council spends its money

South Ribble Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Central and other£6.1m

    29.3% of the budget

  • Environment£5.3m

    25.3% of the budget

  • Culture£4.4m

    20.8% of the budget

  • Planning£3.8m

    18.1% of the budget

  • Housing£1.2m

    5.7% of the budget

  • Public health£110,000

    0.5% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£67,000

    0.3% of the budget

District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.

Benefits spending in South Ribble

Across six benefits, £193.0m was paid out in South Ribble in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,641 per resident. That is 212th highest of 315 areas per person and 235th by total pounds, and 23.4% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in South Ribble by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£100.2m
  • Personal Independence Payment£55.8m
  • Housing Benefit£14.9m
  • Disability Living Allowance£14.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£10.6m
  • Carer's Allowance£6.4m

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

South Ribble Council: common questions

How much does South Ribble Council spend?

South Ribble Council had net current service expenditure of £21.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does South Ribble Council spend per resident?

About £179 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £21.0m and an ONS population estimate of 117,554. That is 55th highest of 164 district councils.

What does South Ribble Council spend most on?

Central and other is the largest service line at £6.1m, 29.3% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in South Ribble?

£193.0m 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 £1,641 per resident. That ranks 212th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.