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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Stockport Council budget and spending

Stockport Council had net current service expenditure of £590.0m in 2024-25, about £1,935 for each of its 304,879 residents. By total budget it is 62nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£590.0m
Spend per resident
£1,935
112th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
304,879
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
62nd
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 Stockport Council spends its money

Stockport Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£287.0m

    48.6% of the budget

  • Adult social care£141.1m

    23.9% of the budget

  • Children's social care£75.3m

    12.8% of the budget

  • Public health£22.6m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Environment£17.4m

    3.0% of the budget

  • Culture£13.8m

    2.3% of the budget

  • Central and other£11.5m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£10.1m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Planning£6.9m

    1.2% of the budget

  • Housing£4.2m

    0.7% 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 Stockport

Across six benefits, £565.9m was paid out in Stockport in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,856 per resident. That is 175th highest of 315 areas per person and 76th by total pounds, and 13.4% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Stockport by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£331.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£143.8m
  • Disability Living Allowance£43.4m
  • Housing Benefit£31.7m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£24.7m
  • Carer's Allowance£18.3m

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

Stockport Council: common questions

How much does Stockport Council spend?

Stockport Council had net current service expenditure of £590.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Stockport Council spend per resident?

About £1,935 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £590.0m and an ONS population estimate of 304,879. That is 112th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Stockport Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £287.0m, 48.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 36.7% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Stockport?

£565.9m 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 £1,856 per resident. That ranks 175th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.