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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Southampton Council budget and spending

Southampton Council had net current service expenditure of £558.6m in 2024-25, about £2,155 for each of its 259,230 residents. By total budget it is 69th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£558.6m
Spend per resident
£2,155
77th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
259,230
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
69th
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 Southampton Council spends its money

Southampton Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£237.8m

    42.6% of the budget

  • Adult social care£116.6m

    20.9% of the budget

  • Children's social care£72.6m

    13.0% of the budget

  • Central and other£45.8m

    8.2% of the budget

  • Environment£23.5m

    4.2% of the budget

  • Public health£18.2m

    3.3% of the budget

  • Housing£14.3m

    2.6% of the budget

  • Culture£13.8m

    2.5% of the budget

  • Planning£10.1m

    1.8% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£6.0m

    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 Southampton

Across six benefits, £596.8m was paid out in Southampton in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,302 per resident. That is 103rd highest of 315 areas per person and 72nd by total pounds, and 7.5% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Southampton by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£372.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£126.6m
  • Housing Benefit£49.8m
  • Disability Living Allowance£41.6m
  • Carer's Allowance£18.9m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£15.8m

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

Southampton Council: common questions

How much does Southampton Council spend?

Southampton Council had net current service expenditure of £558.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Southampton Council spend per resident?

About £2,155 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £558.6m and an ONS population estimate of 259,230. That is 77th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Southampton Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £237.8m, 42.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 33.9% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Southampton?

£596.8m 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 £2,302 per resident. That ranks 103rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.