England · district councils · 2024-25

Tonbridge & Malling Council budget and spending

Tonbridge & Malling Council had net current service expenditure of £22.3m in 2024-25, about £162 for each of its 137,913 residents. By total budget it is 58th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£22.3m
Spend per resident
£162
88th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
137,913
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
58th
of 164 district 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 Tonbridge & Malling Council spends its money

Tonbridge & Malling Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Central and other£6.4m

    28.6% of the budget

  • Environment£5.6m

    25.0% of the budget

  • Housing£4.7m

    21.2% of the budget

  • Planning£4.0m

    17.7% of the budget

  • Culture£3.0m

    13.4% of the budget

  • Public health£65,000

    0.3% of the budget

District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.

Benefits spending in Tonbridge & Malling

Across six benefits, £221.8m was paid out in Tonbridge & Malling in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,609 per resident. That is 217th highest of 315 areas per person and 204th by total pounds, and 24.9% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Tonbridge & Malling by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£130.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£49.4m
  • Disability Living Allowance£20.3m
  • Housing Benefit£18.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£8.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£7.8m

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

Tonbridge & Malling Council: common questions

How much does Tonbridge & Malling Council spend?

Tonbridge & Malling Council had net current service expenditure of £22.3m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Tonbridge & Malling Council spend per resident?

About £162 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £22.3m and an ONS population estimate of 137,913. That is 88th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Tonbridge & Malling Council spend most on?

Central and other is the largest service line at £6.4m, 28.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Tonbridge & Malling?

£221.8m 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 £1,609 per resident. That ranks 217th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.