Wales · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Swansea Council budget and spending
Swansea Council had net current service expenditure of £772.2m in 2024-25, about £3,096 for each of its 249,429 residents. By total budget it is 28th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £772.2m
- Spend per resident
- £3,096
- 23rd of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 249,429
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 28th
- 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 Swansea Council spends its money
- Total revenue expenditure£772.2m
100.0% 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 Swansea
Across six benefits, £663.7m was paid out in Swansea in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,661 per resident. That is 51st highest of 315 areas per person and 63rd by total pounds, and 24.2% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£370.9m
- Personal Independence Payment£190.9m
- Housing Benefit£41.2m
- Disability Living Allowance£40.5m
- Employment and Support Allowance£29.8m
- Carer's Allowance£20.9m
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
Swansea Council: common questions
How much does Swansea Council spend?
Swansea Council had net current service expenditure of £772.2m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Swansea Council spend per resident?
About £3,096 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £772.2m and an ONS population estimate of 249,429. That is 23rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Swansea Council spend most on?
Total revenue expenditure is the largest service line at £772.2m, 100.0% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Swansea?
£663.7m 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 £2,661 per resident. That ranks 51st of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.