England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Stockton-on-Tees Council budget and spending
Stockton-on-Tees Council had net current service expenditure of £352.2m in 2024-25, about £1,700 for each of its 207,158 residents. By total budget it is 134th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £352.2m
- Spend per resident
- £1,700
- 152nd of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 207,158
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 134th
- 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 Stockton-on-Tees Council spends its money
- Education£117.8m
33.4% of the budget
- Adult social care£77.5m
22.0% of the budget
- Children's social care£72.4m
20.5% of the budget
- Public health£21.3m
6.0% of the budget
- Environment£18.8m
5.3% of the budget
- Central and other£13.6m
3.9% of the budget
- Highways and transport£13.0m
3.7% of the budget
- Culture£9.7m
2.8% of the budget
- Housing£5.0m
1.4% of the budget
- Planning£3.2m
0.9% 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 Stockton-on-Tees
Across six benefits, £481.4m was paid out in Stockton-on-Tees in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,324 per resident. That is 98th highest of 315 areas per person and 92nd by total pounds, and 8.5% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£274.2m
- Personal Independence Payment£130.9m
- Disability Living Allowance£31.1m
- Housing Benefit£30.4m
- Carer's Allowance£21.3m
- Employment and Support Allowance£17.8m
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
Stockton-on-Tees Council: common questions
How much does Stockton-on-Tees Council spend?
Stockton-on-Tees Council had net current service expenditure of £352.2m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Stockton-on-Tees Council spend per resident?
About £1,700 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £352.2m and an ONS population estimate of 207,158. That is 152nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Stockton-on-Tees Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £117.8m, 33.4% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of Stockton-on-Tees Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 42.6% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in Stockton-on-Tees?
£481.4m 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 £2,324 per resident. That ranks 98th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.