England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
West Berkshire Council budget and spending
West Berkshire Council had net current service expenditure of £332.4m in 2024-25, about £2,008 for each of its 165,523 residents. By total budget it is 144th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £332.4m
- Spend per resident
- £2,008
- 104th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 165,523
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 144th
- 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 West Berkshire Council spends its money
- Education£165.5m
49.8% of the budget
- Adult social care£73.3m
22.0% of the budget
- Children's social care£37.1m
11.2% of the budget
- Environment£25.7m
7.7% of the budget
- Public health£6.8m
2.0% of the budget
- Housing£6.1m
1.8% of the budget
- Culture£5.5m
1.7% of the budget
- Highways and transport£5.4m
1.6% of the budget
- Central and other£4.0m
1.2% of the budget
- Planning£3.0m
0.9% 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 West Berkshire
Across six benefits, £223.6m was paid out in West Berkshire in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,351 per resident. That is 272nd highest of 315 areas per person and 202nd by total pounds, and 36.9% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£132.8m
- Personal Independence Payment£47.0m
- Housing Benefit£21.1m
- Disability Living Allowance£20.4m
- Employment and Support Allowance£7.5m
- Carer's Allowance£6.9m
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
West Berkshire Council: common questions
How much does West Berkshire Council spend?
West Berkshire Council had net current service expenditure of £332.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does West Berkshire Council spend per resident?
About £2,008 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £332.4m and an ONS population estimate of 165,523. That is 104th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does West Berkshire Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £165.5m, 49.8% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of West Berkshire Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 33.2% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in West Berkshire?
£223.6m 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 £1,351 per resident. That ranks 272nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.