England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
St Helens Council budget and spending
St Helens Council had net current service expenditure of £401.8m in 2024-25, about £2,116 for each of its 189,890 residents. By total budget it is 117th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £401.8m
- Spend per resident
- £2,116
- 86th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 189,890
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 117th
- 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 St Helens Council spends its money
- Education£175.5m
43.7% of the budget
- Adult social care£88.6m
22.0% of the budget
- Children's social care£73.2m
18.2% of the budget
- Public health£19.0m
4.7% of the budget
- Environment£11.8m
2.9% of the budget
- Central and other£10.8m
2.7% of the budget
- Planning£7.2m
1.8% of the budget
- Culture£5.6m
1.4% of the budget
- Highways and transport£5.6m
1.4% of the budget
- Housing£4.6m
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 St Helens
Across six benefits, £518.1m was paid out in St Helens in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,728 per resident. That is 45th highest of 315 areas per person and 83rd by total pounds, and 27.4% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£283.9m
- Personal Independence Payment£145.3m
- Disability Living Allowance£36.3m
- Housing Benefit£35.1m
- Employment and Support Allowance£23.0m
- Carer's Allowance£20.0m
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
St Helens Council: common questions
How much does St Helens Council spend?
St Helens Council had net current service expenditure of £401.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does St Helens Council spend per resident?
About £2,116 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £401.8m and an ONS population estimate of 189,890. That is 86th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does St Helens Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £175.5m, 43.7% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of St Helens Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 40.3% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in St Helens?
£518.1m 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 £2,728 per resident. That ranks 45th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.