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England · single-tier councils · 2024-25

Wiltshire Council budget and spending

Wiltshire Council had net current service expenditure of £827.6m in 2024-25, about £1,572 for each of its 526,392 residents. By total budget it is 20th highest of 185 single-tier councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£827.6m
Spend per resident
£1,572
171st of 185 single-tier councils
Population (mid-2025)
526,392
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
20th
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 Wiltshire Council spends its money

Wiltshire Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Education£348.1m

    42.1% of the budget

  • Adult social care£220.3m

    26.6% of the budget

  • Children's social care£93.4m

    11.3% of the budget

  • Environment£53.9m

    6.5% of the budget

  • Highways and transport£33.9m

    4.1% of the budget

  • Culture£22.4m

    2.7% of the budget

  • Public health£21.9m

    2.6% of the budget

  • Housing£15.8m

    1.9% of the budget

  • Planning£10.7m

    1.3% of the budget

  • Central and other£7.1m

    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 Wiltshire

Across six benefits, £757.4m was paid out in Wiltshire in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,439 per resident. That is 252nd highest of 315 areas per person and 43rd by total pounds, and 32.8% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Wiltshire by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£439.8m
  • Personal Independence Payment£185.7m
  • Disability Living Allowance£66.7m
  • Housing Benefit£50.7m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£28.8m
  • Carer's Allowance£25.0m

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

Wiltshire Council: common questions

How much does Wiltshire Council spend?

Wiltshire Council had net current service expenditure of £827.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Wiltshire Council spend per resident?

About £1,572 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £827.6m and an ONS population estimate of 526,392. That is 171st highest of 185 single-tier councils.

What does Wiltshire Council spend most on?

Education is the largest service line at £348.1m, 42.1% of the 2024-25 budget.

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

Adult and children's social care together take 37.9% of net service spending in 2024-25.

How much is spent on benefits in Wiltshire?

£757.4m 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 £1,439 per resident. That ranks 252nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.