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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Telford & the Wrekin Council budget and spending

Telford & the Wrekin Council had net current service expenditure of £374.4m in 2024-25, about £1,878 for each of its 199,378 residents. By total budget it is 125th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£374.4m
Spend per resident
£1,878
122nd of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
199,378
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
125th
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 Telford & the Wrekin Council spends its money

Telford & the Wrekin Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£150.5m

    40.2% of the budget

  • Adult social care£90.5m

    24.2% of the budget

  • Children's social care£57.5m

    15.3% of the budget

  • Environment£22.2m

    5.9% of the budget

  • Public health£15.8m

    4.2% of the budget

  • Central and other£11.2m

    3.0% of the budget

  • Culture£10.5m

    2.8% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£6.2m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Planning£5.8m

    1.5% of the budget

  • Housing£4.1m

    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 Telford & the Wrekin

Across six benefits, £486.3m was paid out in Telford & the Wrekin in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,439 per resident. That is 78th highest of 315 areas per person and 90th by total pounds, and 13.9% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Telford & the Wrekin by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£281.7m
  • Personal Independence Payment£121.6m
  • Housing Benefit£43.1m
  • Disability Living Allowance£30.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£18.3m
  • Carer's 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

Telford & the Wrekin Council: common questions

How much does Telford & the Wrekin Council spend?

Telford & the Wrekin Council had net current service expenditure of £374.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Telford & the Wrekin Council spend per resident?

About £1,878 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £374.4m and an ONS population estimate of 199,378. That is 122nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Telford & the Wrekin Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £150.5m, 40.2% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much of Telford & the Wrekin Council's budget goes on social care?

Adult and children's social care together take 39.5% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Telford & the Wrekin?

£486.3m 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 £2,439 per resident. That ranks 78th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.