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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Walsall Council budget and spending

Walsall Council had net current service expenditure of £640.6m in 2024-25, about £2,166 for each of its 295,722 residents. By total budget it is 51st highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£640.6m
Spend per resident
£2,166
75th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
295,722
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
51st
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 Walsall Council spends its money

Walsall Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£267.5m

    41.8% of the budget

  • Adult social care£129.1m

    20.2% of the budget

  • Children's social care£100.7m

    15.7% of the budget

  • Central and other£29.9m

    4.7% of the budget

  • Environment£25.0m

    3.9% of the budget

  • Public health£22.7m

    3.5% of the budget

  • Planning£22.3m

    3.5% of the budget

  • Culture£15.9m

    2.5% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£15.1m

    2.4% of the budget

  • Housing£12.4m

    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 Walsall

Across six benefits, £792.6m was paid out in Walsall in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,680 per resident. That is 48th highest of 315 areas per person and 37th by total pounds, and 25.1% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Walsall by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£502.9m
  • Personal Independence Payment£187.0m
  • Disability Living Allowance£46.5m
  • Housing Benefit£42.5m
  • Carer's Allowance£36.5m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£25.2m

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

Walsall Council: common questions

How much does Walsall Council spend?

Walsall Council had net current service expenditure of £640.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Walsall Council spend per resident?

About £2,166 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £640.6m and an ONS population estimate of 295,722. That is 75th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Walsall Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £267.5m, 41.8% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 35.9% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Walsall?

£792.6m 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 £2,680 per resident. That ranks 48th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.