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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Southend-on-Sea Council budget and spending

Southend-on-Sea Council had net current service expenditure of £288.2m in 2024-25, about £1,556 for each of its 185,214 residents. By total budget it is 157th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£288.2m
Spend per resident
£1,556
175th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
185,214
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
157th
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 Southend-on-Sea Council spends its money

Southend-on-Sea Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£88.4m

    30.7% of the budget

  • Adult social care£72.5m

    25.1% of the budget

  • Children's social care£54.2m

    18.8% of the budget

  • Environment£21.8m

    7.6% of the budget

  • Public health£11.9m

    4.1% of the budget

  • Central and other£11.6m

    4.0% of the budget

  • Culture£10.5m

    3.7% of the budget

  • Housing£9.6m

    3.3% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£4.6m

    1.6% of the budget

  • Planning£3.1m

    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 Southend-on-Sea

Across six benefits, £452.3m was paid out in Southend-on-Sea in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,442 per resident. That is 77th highest of 315 areas per person and 99th by total pounds, and 14.0% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Southend-on-Sea by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£277.6m
  • Personal Independence Payment£92.2m
  • Housing Benefit£47.3m
  • Disability Living Allowance£28.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£13.6m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£12.8m

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

Southend-on-Sea Council: common questions

How much does Southend-on-Sea Council spend?

Southend-on-Sea Council had net current service expenditure of £288.2m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Southend-on-Sea Council spend per resident?

About £1,556 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £288.2m and an ONS population estimate of 185,214. That is 175th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Southend-on-Sea Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £88.4m, 30.7% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much of Southend-on-Sea Council's budget goes on social care?

Adult and children's social care together take 43.9% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Southend-on-Sea?

£452.3m 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 £2,442 per resident. That ranks 77th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.