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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Wandsworth Council budget and spending

Wandsworth Council had net current service expenditure of £567.0m in 2024-25, about £1,668 for each of its 339,859 residents. By total budget it is 65th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£567.0m
Spend per resident
£1,668
158th of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
339,859
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
65th
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 Wandsworth Council spends its money

Wandsworth Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£238.9m

    42.1% of the budget

  • Adult social care£131.8m

    23.2% of the budget

  • Children's social care£70.0m

    12.3% of the budget

  • Housing£40.7m

    7.2% of the budget

  • Public health£36.0m

    6.3% of the budget

  • Central and other£21.8m

    3.8% of the budget

  • Environment£20.8m

    3.7% of the budget

  • Culture£11.0m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Planning£7.0m

    1.2% 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 Wandsworth

Across six benefits, £677.8m was paid out in Wandsworth in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,994 per resident. That is 142nd highest of 315 areas per person and 61st by total pounds, and 6.9% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Wandsworth by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£451.4m
  • Personal Independence Payment£105.1m
  • Housing Benefit£95.4m
  • Disability Living Allowance£28.3m
  • Carer's Allowance£15.2m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£13.3m

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

Wandsworth Council: common questions

How much does Wandsworth Council spend?

Wandsworth Council had net current service expenditure of £567.0m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Wandsworth Council spend per resident?

About £1,668 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £567.0m and an ONS population estimate of 339,859. That is 158th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Wandsworth Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £238.9m, 42.1% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 35.6% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Wandsworth?

£677.8m 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 £1,994 per resident. That ranks 142nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.