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England · district councils · 2024-25

Woking Council budget and spending

Woking Council had net current service expenditure of £18.7m in 2024-25, about £176 for each of its 106,197 residents. By total budget it is 82nd highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£18.7m
Spend per resident
£176
59th of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
106,197
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
82nd
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.

Is Woking Council in financial difficulty?

Woking Council issued a Section 114 notice (Jun 2023), according to public reporting and MHCLG.

The council outturn data carries no deficit field, so this comes from public reporting on Section 114 notices and MHCLG Exceptional Financial Support rather than from the budget figures on this page.

Where Woking Council spends its money

Woking Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Housing£6.9m

    36.9% of the budget

  • Environment£5.1m

    27.3% of the budget

  • Planning£2.2m

    11.7% of the budget

  • Culture£2.1m

    11.5% of the budget

  • Adult social care£2.0m

    10.6% of the budget

  • Central and other£1.6m

    8.8% of the budget

  • Children's social care£960,000

    5.1% 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 Woking

Across six benefits, £149.4m was paid out in Woking in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,407 per resident. That is 262nd highest of 315 areas per person and 277th by total pounds, and 34.3% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Woking by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£91.5m
  • Personal Independence Payment£28.5m
  • Housing Benefit£15.2m
  • Disability Living Allowance£12.6m
  • Carer's Allowance£4.8m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£4.6m

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

Woking Council: common questions

How much does Woking Council spend?

Woking Council had net current service expenditure of £18.7m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Woking Council spend per resident?

About £176 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £18.7m and an ONS population estimate of 106,197. That is 59th highest of 164 district councils.

What does Woking Council spend most on?

Housing is the largest service line at £6.9m, 36.9% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Woking?

£149.4m 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 £1,407 per resident. That ranks 262nd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.

Is Woking Council in financial difficulty?

Woking Council issued a Section 114 notice (Jun 2023), according to public reporting and MHCLG.