NumbersDeckOpen the map

England · district councils · 2024-25

Winchester Council budget and spending

Winchester Council had net current service expenditure of £19.3m in 2024-25, about £141 for each of its 136,856 residents. By total budget it is 74th highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£19.3m
Spend per resident
£141
124th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
136,856
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
74th
of 164 district 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 Winchester Council spends its money

Winchester Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Environment£7.8m

    40.3% of the budget

  • Central and other£5.8m

    29.8% of the budget

  • Planning£3.4m

    17.5% of the budget

  • Housing£2.8m

    14.4% of the budget

  • Culture£2.0m

    10.4% of the budget

District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.

Benefits spending in Winchester

Across six benefits, £174.0m was paid out in Winchester in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,271 per resident. That is 288th highest of 315 areas per person and 261st by total pounds, and 40.7% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Winchester by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£105.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£38.9m
  • Housing Benefit£14.6m
  • Disability Living Allowance£13.4m
  • Carer's Allowance£5.6m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£5.4m

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

Winchester Council: common questions

How much does Winchester Council spend?

Winchester Council had net current service expenditure of £19.3m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Winchester Council spend per resident?

About £141 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £19.3m and an ONS population estimate of 136,856. That is 124th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Winchester Council spend most on?

Environment is the largest service line at £7.8m, 40.3% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Winchester?

£174.0m 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 £1,271 per resident. That ranks 288th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.