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England · district councils · 2024-25

Worthing Council budget and spending

Worthing Council had net current service expenditure of £18.6m in 2024-25, about £164 for each of its 113,844 residents. By total budget it is 83rd highest of 164 district councils.

Net service spending, 2024-25
£18.6m
Spend per resident
£164
83rd of 164 district councils
Population (mid-2025)
113,844
ONS mid-year estimate
Rank by total budget
83rd
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 Worthing Council spends its money

Worthing Council spending by service, 2024-25
  • Housing£7.6m

    40.5% of the budget

  • Culture£4.6m

    24.8% of the budget

  • Central and other£3.6m

    19.3% of the budget

  • Environment£2.5m

    13.5% of the budget

  • Planning£1.5m

    7.9% 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 Worthing

Across six benefits, £215.1m was paid out in Worthing in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,890 per resident. That is 163rd highest of 315 areas per person and 211th by total pounds, and 11.8% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.

Benefits paid in Worthing by benefit, 12 months to March 2026
  • Universal Credit£121.3m
  • Personal Independence Payment£48.0m
  • Housing Benefit£23.2m
  • Disability Living Allowance£17.1m
  • Employment and Support Allowance£8.6m
  • Carer's Allowance£5.7m

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

Worthing Council: common questions

How much does Worthing Council spend?

Worthing Council had net current service expenditure of £18.6m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.

How much does Worthing Council spend per resident?

About £164 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £18.6m and an ONS population estimate of 113,844. That is 83rd highest of 164 district councils.

What does Worthing Council spend most on?

Housing is the largest service line at £7.6m, 40.5% of the 2024-25 budget.

How much is spent on benefits in Worthing?

£215.1m 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 £1,890 per resident. That ranks 163rd of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.