England · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Westminster Council budget and spending
Westminster Council had net current service expenditure of £561.8m in 2024-25, about £2,645 for each of its 212,367 residents. By total budget it is 68th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £561.8m
- Spend per resident
- £2,645
- 53rd of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 212,367
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 68th
- 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 Westminster Council spends its money
- Education£131.8m
23.5% of the budget
- Housing£120.4m
21.4% of the budget
- Adult social care£105.4m
18.8% of the budget
- Environment£71.2m
12.7% of the budget
- Central and other£69.4m
12.3% of the budget
- Children's social care£55.4m
9.9% of the budget
- Public health£41.8m
7.4% of the budget
- Planning£19.4m
3.5% of the budget
- Culture£13.3m
2.4% 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 Westminster
Across six benefits, £631.6m was paid out in Westminster in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,974 per resident. That is 23rd highest of 315 areas per person and 70th by total pounds, and 38.8% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£379.1m
- Housing Benefit£125.7m
- Personal Independence Payment£98.2m
- Disability Living Allowance£24.1m
- Carer's Allowance£15.6m
- Employment and Support Allowance£10.4m
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
Westminster Council: common questions
How much does Westminster Council spend?
Westminster Council had net current service expenditure of £561.8m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Westminster Council spend per resident?
About £2,645 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £561.8m and an ONS population estimate of 212,367. That is 53rd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Westminster Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £131.8m, 23.5% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of Westminster Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 28.6% of net service spending in 2024-25.
How much is spent on benefits in Westminster?
£631.6m 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 £2,974 per resident. That ranks 23rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.