NumbersDeckOpen the map

England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Stoke-on-Trent Council budget and spending

Stoke-on-Trent Council had net current service expenditure of £479.8m in 2024-25, about £1,762 for each of its 272,282 residents. By total budget it is 91st highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£479.8m
Spend per resident
£1,762
142nd of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
272,282
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
91st
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 Stoke-on-Trent Council spends its money

Stoke-on-Trent Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£136.1m

    28.4% of the budget

  • Children's social care£126.0m

    26.3% of the budget

  • Adult social care£99.3m

    20.7% of the budget

  • Environment£26.7m

    5.6% of the budget

  • Public health£25.4m

    5.3% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£25.3m

    5.3% of the budget

  • Housing£11.5m

    2.4% of the budget

  • Culture£10.6m

    2.2% of the budget

  • Planning£9.8m

    2.0% of the budget

  • Central and other£9.2m

    1.9% 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 Stoke-on-Trent

Across six benefits, £713.9m was paid out in Stoke-on-Trent in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,622 per resident. That is 55th highest of 315 areas per person and 53rd by total pounds, and 22.4% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Stoke-on-Trent by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£419.4m
  • Personal Independence Payment£177.3m
  • Housing Benefit£59.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£39.5m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£30.2m
  • Carer's Allowance£26.0m

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

Stoke-on-Trent Council: common questions

How much does Stoke-on-Trent Council spend?

Stoke-on-Trent Council had net current service expenditure of £479.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Stoke-on-Trent Council spend per resident?

About £1,762 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £479.8m and an ONS population estimate of 272,282. That is 142nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Stoke-on-Trent Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £136.1m, 28.4% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much of Stoke-on-Trent Council's budget goes on social care?

Adult and children's social care together take 47.0% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Stoke-on-Trent?

£713.9m 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 £2,622 per resident. That ranks 55th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.