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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Wakefield Council budget and spending

Wakefield Council had net current service expenditure of £633.0m in 2024-25, about £1,713 for each of its 369,450 residents. By total budget it is 52nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£633.0m
Spend per resident
£1,713
149th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
369,450
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
52nd
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 Wakefield Council spends its money

Wakefield Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£206.2m

    32.6% of the budget

  • Adult social care£156.2m

    24.7% of the budget

  • Children's social care£97.5m

    15.4% of the budget

  • Environment£53.9m

    8.5% of the budget

  • Public health£32.0m

    5.1% of the budget

  • Culture£27.7m

    4.4% of the budget

  • Central and other£25.8m

    4.1% of the budget

  • Housing£12.8m

    2.0% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£10.9m

    1.7% of the budget

  • Planning£10.0m

    1.6% 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 Wakefield

Across six benefits, £887.1m was paid out in Wakefield in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,401 per resident. That is 87th highest of 315 areas per person and 29th by total pounds, and 12.1% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Wakefield by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£505.4m
  • Personal Independence Payment£231.1m
  • Disability Living Allowance£61.2m
  • Housing Benefit£58.8m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£43.1m
  • Carer's Allowance£33.4m

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

Wakefield Council: common questions

How much does Wakefield Council spend?

Wakefield Council had net current service expenditure of £633.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Wakefield Council spend per resident?

About £1,713 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £633.0m and an ONS population estimate of 369,450. That is 149th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Wakefield Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £206.2m, 32.6% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much of Wakefield Council's budget goes on social care?

Adult and children's social care together take 40.1% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Wakefield?

£887.1m 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 £2,401 per resident. That ranks 87th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.