# Where your council tax goes in Milton Keynes url: https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/council-tax/england/milton-keynes/where-it-goes/ updated: 29 September 2026 licence: Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Figures: each source's own licence, listed under Sources. publisher: [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk) # Where your council tax goes in Milton Keynes Last updated 29 September 2026. Figures refresh every night. [How each figure is worked out](/methodology/). A Band D council tax bill in **Milton Keynes** is **£2,372.21** for 2026-27, split between Milton Keynes £1,812.34, Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase £35.19, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable £298.28, Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority £89.46, Parish and town councils (average for the area) £136.94. Shared out in proportion to what each body spends, the largest single line is adult social care at Milton Keynes: **£647.91** of the bill. Council tax pays for 23% of the council's own spending; the rest is government grant, business rates and fees. Figures for the 2026–27 financial year. Source: [Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/council-tax-statistics). ## Key figures - £2,372.21Band D bill, 2026-27 As of 6 April 2026 - £1,812.34Goes to Milton Keynes itself (76%) As of 6 April 2026 - £647.91Largest line: adult social care As of 28 September 2026 - 23.4%Of the council's money that comes from council tax, 2025-26 As of 28 September 2026 Source: [Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/council-tax-statistics). ## Who gets your bill Your council tax band A B C D E F G H Figures are for a **Band D** home. Bands A to H pay a fixed fraction of this, set in law. 1812.34 35.19 298.28 89.46 136.94 Milton Keynes 76%Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase 1%Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable 13%Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority 4%Parish and town councils (average for the area) 6% Parish precepts differ from parish to parish; this is the average across the area, and a home outside any parish pays none. ## And where does that bit go? Choose any part of the bill to see how it divides, then keep going as far as the published returns allow. Every level has its own link you can share. ### Where the rest comes from **Council tax pays for 23.4%** of the money Milton Keynes had to spend in 2025-26. ********** - Council tax 23.4% £175.3m - Business rates 11.0% £82.3m - General government grant 1.0% £7.5m - Government grants for specific services 47.1% £352.8m - Fees, charges and other income 17.6% £131.6m It also put £7.3m into its reserves that year. Council tax is pooled with the council's other money, not ring-fenced for any service. The split on this page shares your bill out in proportion to what each body spends; it does not say what any one pound paid for. - Your bill ### Your bill: £2,372.21 - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) £1,812.34 ** Your council · 76.4% of the bill - [Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase](#d-adult-social-care) £35.19 ** Adult social care precept · 1.5% of the bill - [Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable](#d-police) £298.28 ** Police · 12.6% of the bill - [Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority](#d-fire) £89.46 ** Fire and rescue · 3.8% of the bill - Parish and town councils (average for the area) £136.94 ** Parish or town council · 5.8% of the bill. Parish, town and community councils do not file spending returns with the government, so there is no national breakdown. Each publishes its own annual accounts. - [Your bill](#d-bill) - Milton Keynes ### Milton Keynes £1,812.34 of your bill goes to Milton Keynes. It is shared out below in proportion to how Milton Keynes spent its money in 2025-26, its latest published return. - [Adult social care](#d-council~adult-social-care) £647.91 ** 35.7% of this part · £119.4m in 2025-26 · £386 per resident; similar councils £476 · up 6.5% on 2024-25 - [Children's social care](#d-council~childrens-social-care) £487.23 ** 26.9% of this part · £89.8m in 2025-26 · £291 per resident; similar councils £315 · up 11.1% on 2024-25 - [Education](#d-council~education) £221.61 ** 12.2% of this part · £240.5m in 2025-26 · £779 per resident; similar councils £652 · up 6.1% on 2024-25 - [Environment and regulation](#d-council~environment) £193.99 ** 10.7% of this part · £35.7m in 2025-26 · £116 per resident; similar councils £110 · up 18.4% on 2024-25 - [Housing (not council homes)](#d-council~housing) £101.36 ** 5.6% of this part · £18.7m in 2025-26 · £60 per resident; similar councils £30 · down 2.4% on 2024-25 Not council homes: [see the note](#d-council~housing). - [Running the council](#d-council~central) £59.78 ** 3.3% of this part · £11.0m in 2025-26 · £36 per resident; similar councils £51 · down 24.8% on 2024-25 - [Parks, leisure, libraries and culture](#d-council~culture-leisure) £53.90 ** 3.0% of this part · £9.9m in 2025-26 · £32 per resident; similar councils £39 · up 12.1% on 2024-25 - [Planning and development](#d-council~planning-development) £27.51 ** 1.5% of this part · £5.1m in 2025-26 · £16 per resident; similar councils £19 · down 23.7% on 2024-25 - [Roads and transport](#d-council~highways-transport) £17.56 ** 1.0% of this part · £3.2m in 2025-26 · £10 per resident; similar councils £50 · down 57.3% on 2024-25 - [Public health](#d-council~public-health) £1.50 ** under 0.1% of this part · £14.4m in 2025-26 · £46 per resident; similar councils £68 · up 2.8% on 2024-25 Before sharing out your bill, the part of education paid for by the Dedicated Schools Grant (£199.7m) and public health paid for by the public health grant (£14.1m) is taken off, because council tax does not pay for it. **Which councils count as similar** Medians are across the 10 unitary councils in England closest in population: South Gloucestershire, Central Bedfordshire, Nottingham City, Medway Towns, Shropshire, Northumberland, Brighton and Hove, Cumberland, Derby City, Kingston-upon-Hull. Per-resident figures use ONS mid-year population estimates. - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Adult social care ### Adult social care £647.91 of your bill goes to adult social care at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £119.4m of net spending on it divides in the return. - [Physical support](#d-council~adult-social-care.physical) £228.05 ** 35.2% of this · £42.4m in 2025-26 · £137 per resident; similar councils £155 · up 17.2% on 2024-25 - [Learning disability support](#d-council~adult-social-care.learning-disability) £202.56 ** 31.3% of this · £37.7m in 2025-26 · £122 per resident; similar councils £153 · up 12.8% on 2024-25 - Care assessment and safeguarding £109.76 ** 16.9% of this · £20.4m in 2025-26 · £66 per resident; similar councils £37 · up 26.3% on 2024-25 - [Mental health support](#d-council~adult-social-care.mental-health) £47.91 ** 7.4% of this · £8.9m in 2025-26 · £29 per resident; similar councils £50 · up 13.5% on 2024-25 - [Support with memory and cognition](#d-council~adult-social-care.memory) £35.83 ** 5.5% of this · £6.7m in 2025-26 · £22 per resident; similar councils £23 · up 6.2% on 2024-25 - Social support (carers, substance misuse, isolation, asylum) £14.81 ** 2.3% of this · £2.8m in 2025-26 · £8.91 per resident; similar councils £6.52 · up 6.6% on 2024-25 - [Sensory support](#d-council~adult-social-care.sensory) £4.53 ** 0.7% of this · £842k in 2025-26 · £2.73 per resident; similar councils £1.47 · up 4.6% on 2024-25 - Assistive equipment and technology £3.25 ** 0.5% of this · £605k in 2025-26 · £1.96 per resident; similar councils £0.91 · down 42.4% on 2024-25 - Information and early intervention £1.21 ** 0.2% of this · £224k in 2025-26 · £0.73 per resident; similar councils £2.14 · down 57.3% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - [Adult social care](#d-council~adult-social-care) - Physical support ### Physical support £228.05 of your bill goes to physical support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £42.4m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 65 and over £166.13 ** 72.8% of this · £30.9m in 2025-26 · £100 per resident; similar councils £100 · up 14.4% on 2024-25 - Aged 18 to 64 £61.92 ** 27.2% of this · £11.5m in 2025-26 · £37 per resident; similar councils £46 · up 25.5% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - [Adult social care](#d-council~adult-social-care) - Learning disability support ### Learning disability support £202.56 of your bill goes to learning disability support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £37.7m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 18 to 64 £184.61 ** 91.1% of this · £34.3m in 2025-26 · £111 per resident; similar councils £139 · up 12.1% on 2024-25 - Aged 65 and over £17.94 ** 8.9% of this · £3.3m in 2025-26 · £11 per resident; similar councils £17 · up 20.6% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - [Adult social care](#d-council~adult-social-care) - Mental health support ### Mental health support £47.91 of your bill goes to mental health support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £8.9m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 18 to 64 £38.79 ** 81.0% of this · £7.2m in 2025-26 · £23 per resident; similar councils £39 · up 15.6% on 2024-25 - Aged 65 and over £9.12 ** 19.0% of this · £1.7m in 2025-26 · £5.49 per resident; similar councils £14 · up 5.2% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - [Adult social care](#d-council~adult-social-care) - Support with memory and cognition ### Support with memory and cognition £35.83 of your bill goes to support with memory and cognition at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £6.7m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 65 and over £33.68 ** 94.0% of this · £6.3m in 2025-26 · £20 per resident; similar councils £21 · up 4.7% on 2024-25 - Aged 18 to 64 £2.16 ** 6.0% of this · £401k in 2025-26 · £1.30 per resident; similar councils £2.29 · up 36.4% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - [Adult social care](#d-council~adult-social-care) - Sensory support ### Sensory support £4.53 of your bill goes to sensory support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £842k of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 65 and over £2.66 ** 58.7% of this · £494k in 2025-26 · £1.60 per resident; similar councils £0.51 · up 0.6% on 2024-25 - Aged 18 to 64 £1.87 ** 41.3% of this · £348k in 2025-26 · £1.13 per resident; similar councils £0.61 · up 10.8% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Children's social care ### Children's social care £487.23 of your bill goes to children's social care at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £89.8m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Children looked after £313.53 ** 64.3% of this · £57.8m in 2025-26 · £187 per resident; similar councils £199 · up 19.2% on 2024-25 - Safeguarding and social work £89.38 ** 18.3% of this · £16.5m in 2025-26 · £53 per resident; similar councils £47 · up 3.3% on 2024-25 - Family support £62.58 ** 12.8% of this · £11.5m in 2025-26 · £37 per resident; similar councils £23 · up 0.3% on 2024-25 - Services for young people £8.82 ** 1.8% of this · £1.6m in 2025-26 · £5.26 per resident; similar councils £5.29 · down 1.5% on 2024-25 - Other children's and families' services £5.70 ** 1.2% of this · £1.1m in 2025-26 · £3.40 per resident; similar councils £4.08 · up 0.6% on 2024-25 - Youth justice £5.61 ** 1.2% of this · £1.0m in 2025-26 · £3.35 per resident; similar councils £5.15 · down 36.7% on 2024-25 - Children's centres and early years £1.60 ** 0.3% of this · £295k in 2025-26 · £0.96 per resident; similar councils £8.24 · down 53.0% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Education ### Education £221.61 of your bill goes to education at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £240.5m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Primary schools £84.65 ** 38.2% of this · £91.9m in 2025-26 · £297 per resident; similar councils £258 · down 3.6% on 2024-25 - Early years and nursery £47.33 ** 21.4% of this · £51.4m in 2025-26 · £166 per resident; similar councils £140 · up 36.4% on 2024-25 - Special schools and alternative provision £38.41 ** 17.3% of this · £41.7m in 2025-26 · £135 per resident; similar councils £145 · up 4.4% on 2024-25 - Secondary schools £28.18 ** 12.7% of this · £30.6m in 2025-26 · £99 per resident; similar councils £45 · up 3.7% on 2024-25 - Other education £20.82 ** 9.4% of this · £22.6m in 2025-26 · £73 per resident; similar councils £63 · up 8.0% on 2024-25 - Post-16 £2.22 ** 1.0% of this · £2.4m in 2025-26 · £7.79 per resident; similar councils £12 · down 27.2% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Environment and regulation ### Environment and regulation £193.99 of your bill goes to environment and regulation at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £35.7m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Waste disposal £58.18 ** 30.0% of this · £11.0m in 2025-26 · £35 per resident; similar councils £32 · up 53.5% on 2024-25 - Waste collection £48.33 ** 24.9% of this · £9.1m in 2025-26 · £29 per resident; similar councils £28 · down 29.4% on 2024-25 - Recycling and waste minimisation £32.06 ** 16.5% of this · £6.0m in 2025-26 · £20 per resident; similar councils £15 · up 305.4% on 2024-25 - Street cleaning £29.89 ** 15.4% of this · £5.6m in 2025-26 · £18 per resident; similar councils £12 · up 8.5% on 2024-25 - Trading standards £12.20 ** 6.3% of this · £2.3m in 2025-26 · £7.44 per resident; similar councils £1.77 · down 6.9% on 2024-25 - Environmental health, food safety, pest control and licensing £7.74 ** 4.0% of this · £1.5m in 2025-26 · £4.72 per resident; similar councils £7.42 · up 30.2% on 2024-25 - Community safety and CCTV £2.94 ** 1.5% of this · £553k in 2025-26 · £1.79 per resident; similar councils £5.44 · down 14.4% on 2024-25 - Flood defence, land drainage and coast protection £2.64 ** 1.4% of this · £497k in 2025-26 · £1.61 per resident; similar councils £1.28 · up 55.3% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Housing (not council homes) ### Housing (not council homes) £101.36 of your bill goes to housing (not council homes) at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £18.7m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Homelessness and temporary accommodation £87.25 ** 86.1% of this · £16.4m in 2025-26 · £53 per resident; similar councils £18 · down 3.6% on 2024-25 - Housing benefit administration and discretionary payments £8.90 ** 8.8% of this · £1.7m in 2025-26 · £5.42 per resident; similar councils £5.50 · down 0.4% on 2024-25 - Supporting People and welfare services £3.67 ** 3.6% of this · £690k in 2025-26 · £2.23 per resident; similar councils £2.03 · down 40.0% on 2024-25 - Private sector housing renewal £1.20 ** 1.2% of this · £225k in 2025-26 · £0.73 per resident; similar councils £0.89 - Housing strategy, advice and enabling £0.34 ** 0.3% of this · £64k in 2025-26 · £0.21 per resident; similar councils £2.28 · no change on 2024-25 **Council homes are not in this.** Council housing is paid for through the Housing Revenue Account, from tenants' rents, and the law keeps it separate from the General Fund that council tax goes into. Milton Keynes's Housing Revenue Account took in £71.3m and spent £68.0m in 2025-26. [What council tax does and doesn't pay for](/what-council-tax-pays-for/#ring-fence). - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Running the council ### Running the council £59.78 of your bill goes to running the council at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £11.0m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Collecting council tax and business rates £24.01 ** 40.2% of this · £4.6m in 2025-26 · £15 per resident; similar councils £9.38 · up 0.6% on 2024-25 - Corporate and democratic core £23.62 ** 39.5% of this · £4.6m in 2025-26 · £15 per resident; similar councils £17 · down 33.5% on 2024-25 - Coroners' and other courts £5.00 ** 8.4% of this · £967k in 2025-26 · £3.13 per resident; similar councils £2.19 · up 17.2% on 2024-25 - Non-distributed costs (past pensions, unused assets) £4.02 ** 6.7% of this · £779k in 2025-26 · £2.52 per resident; similar councils £5.62 · down 1.9% on 2024-25 - Elections and electoral registration £2.12 ** 3.5% of this · £410k in 2025-26 · £1.33 per resident; similar councils £2.13 · down 76.9% on 2024-25 - Emergency planning £1.01 ** 1.7% of this · £195k in 2025-26 · £0.63 per resident; similar councils £0.51 · down 5.8% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Parks, leisure, libraries and culture ### Parks, leisure, libraries and culture £53.90 of your bill goes to parks, leisure, libraries and culture at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £9.9m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Parks and open spaces (including play areas) £34.84 ** 64.6% of this · £6.7m in 2025-26 · £22 per resident; similar councils £18 · up 13.7% on 2024-25 - Libraries £9.63 ** 17.9% of this · £1.8m in 2025-26 · £5.99 per resident; similar councils £12 · up 1.6% on 2024-25 - Museums, arts, heritage and archives £7.26 ** 13.5% of this · £1.4m in 2025-26 · £4.51 per resident; similar councils £8.34 · up 19.7% on 2024-25 - Sport and leisure £2.17 ** 4.0% of this · £417k in 2025-26 · £1.35 per resident; similar councils £4.19 · up 193.7% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Planning and development ### Planning and development £27.51 of your bill goes to planning and development at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £5.1m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Economic development and business support £10.82 ** 39.4% of this · £2.0m in 2025-26 · £6.46 per resident; similar councils £7.11 · down 25.8% on 2024-25 - Planning policy £8.82 ** 32.1% of this · £1.6m in 2025-26 · £5.26 per resident; similar councils £4.11 · down 32.7% on 2024-25 - Environmental initiatives £2.42 ** 8.8% of this · £446k in 2025-26 · £1.44 per resident; similar councils £0.20 · up 256.8% on 2024-25 - Building control £2.18 ** 7.9% of this · £402k in 2025-26 · £1.30 per resident; similar councils £0.59 · up 28.4% on 2024-25 - Planning applications (development management) £1.86 ** 6.8% of this · £343k in 2025-26 · £1.11 per resident; similar councils £1.07 · down 47.1% on 2024-25 - Community development £1.40 ** 5.1% of this · £257k in 2025-26 · £0.83 per resident; similar councils £4.55 · down 43.8% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Roads and transport ### Roads and transport £17.56 of your bill goes to roads and transport at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £3.2m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Support for bus, rail and other public transport £4.33 ** 24.7% of this · £3.9m in 2025-26 · £13 per resident; similar councils £10 · down 8.1% on 2024-25 - Concessionary bus fares £4.09 ** 23.3% of this · £3.7m in 2025-26 · £12 per resident; similar councils £12 · down 5.7% on 2024-25 - Street lighting (including energy) £3.66 ** 20.8% of this · £3.3m in 2025-26 · £11 per resident; similar councils £9.17 · down 25.0% on 2024-25 - Traffic management and road safety £2.44 ** 13.9% of this · £2.2m in 2025-26 · £7.09 per resident; similar councils £0.23 · up 6.8% on 2024-25 - Road and bridge maintenance £1.88 ** 10.7% of this · £1.7m in 2025-26 · £5.47 per resident; similar councils £16 · down 5.4% on 2024-25 - Winter service (gritting) £0.84 ** 4.8% of this · £755k in 2025-26 · £2.44 per resident; similar councils £2.22 · down 14.4% on 2024-25 - Transport planning and policy £0.32 ** 1.8% of this · £288k in 2025-26 · £0.93 per resident; similar councils £5.61 · up 31.5% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes](#d-council) - Public health ### Public health £1.50 of your bill goes to public health at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £14.4m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Health visiting and children's 0-5 services £0.51 ** 33.9% of this · £4.9m in 2025-26 · £16 per resident; similar councils £16 · up 1.2% on 2024-25 - Drug and alcohol services £0.33 ** 21.7% of this · £3.1m in 2025-26 · £10 per resident; similar councils £16 · up 26.2% on 2024-25 - Sexual health £0.30 ** 19.8% of this · £2.8m in 2025-26 · £9.18 per resident; similar councils £9.25 · up 2.5% on 2024-25 - Stop smoking and tobacco control £0.10 ** 6.3% of this · £908k in 2025-26 · £2.94 per resident; similar councils £2.44 · up 15.4% on 2024-25 - Children's 5-19 programmes £0.09 ** 6.2% of this · £897k in 2025-26 · £2.90 per resident; similar councils £7.36 · up 3.2% on 2024-25 - Other public health £0.09 ** 5.8% of this · £839k in 2025-26 · £2.72 per resident; similar councils £3.92 · down 39.7% on 2024-25 - Obesity and physical activity £0.05 ** 3.2% of this · £464k in 2025-26 · £1.50 per resident; similar councils £4.11 · up 25.7% on 2024-25 - NHS health checks and health protection £0.04 ** 2.5% of this · £362k in 2025-26 · £1.17 per resident; similar councils £3.29 · down 9.3% on 2024-25 - Public mental health £0.01 ** 0.4% of this · £61k in 2025-26 · £0.20 per resident; similar councils £1.96 · down 33.7% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase ### Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase £35.19 of your bill is this year's adult social care precept, which councils may raise on top of the usual limit for adult social care. It is shown against how Milton Keynes's adult social care spending of £119.4m divided in 2025-26. MHCLG publishes only this year's increase; the running total since 2016-17 printed on your bill is in the council part above. - [Physical support](#d-adult-social-care~adult-social-care.physical) £12.39 ** 35.2% of this precept · £42.4m in 2025-26 · £137 per resident; similar councils £155 · up 17.2% on 2024-25 - [Learning disability support](#d-adult-social-care~adult-social-care.learning-disability) £11.00 ** 31.3% of this precept · £37.7m in 2025-26 · £122 per resident; similar councils £153 · up 12.8% on 2024-25 - Care assessment and safeguarding £5.96 ** 16.9% of this precept · £20.4m in 2025-26 · £66 per resident; similar councils £37 · up 26.3% on 2024-25 - [Mental health support](#d-adult-social-care~adult-social-care.mental-health) £2.60 ** 7.4% of this precept · £8.9m in 2025-26 · £29 per resident; similar councils £50 · up 13.5% on 2024-25 - [Support with memory and cognition](#d-adult-social-care~adult-social-care.memory) £1.95 ** 5.5% of this precept · £6.7m in 2025-26 · £22 per resident; similar councils £23 · up 6.2% on 2024-25 - Social support (carers, substance misuse, isolation, asylum) £0.80 ** 2.3% of this precept · £2.8m in 2025-26 · £8.91 per resident; similar councils £6.52 · up 6.6% on 2024-25 - [Sensory support](#d-adult-social-care~adult-social-care.sensory) £0.25 ** 0.7% of this precept · £842k in 2025-26 · £2.73 per resident; similar councils £1.47 · up 4.6% on 2024-25 - Assistive equipment and technology £0.18 ** 0.5% of this precept · £605k in 2025-26 · £1.96 per resident; similar councils £0.91 · down 42.4% on 2024-25 - Information and early intervention £0.07 ** 0.2% of this precept · £224k in 2025-26 · £0.73 per resident; similar councils £2.14 · down 57.3% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase](#d-adult-social-care) - Physical support ### Physical support £12.39 of your bill goes to physical support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £42.4m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 65 and over £9.02 ** 72.8% of this · £30.9m in 2025-26 · £100 per resident; similar councils £100 · up 14.4% on 2024-25 - Aged 18 to 64 £3.36 ** 27.2% of this · £11.5m in 2025-26 · £37 per resident; similar councils £46 · up 25.5% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase](#d-adult-social-care) - Learning disability support ### Learning disability support £11.00 of your bill goes to learning disability support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £37.7m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 18 to 64 £10.03 ** 91.1% of this · £34.3m in 2025-26 · £111 per resident; similar councils £139 · up 12.1% on 2024-25 - Aged 65 and over £0.97 ** 8.9% of this · £3.3m in 2025-26 · £11 per resident; similar councils £17 · up 20.6% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase](#d-adult-social-care) - Mental health support ### Mental health support £2.60 of your bill goes to mental health support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £8.9m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 18 to 64 £2.11 ** 81.0% of this · £7.2m in 2025-26 · £23 per resident; similar councils £39 · up 15.6% on 2024-25 - Aged 65 and over £0.50 ** 19.0% of this · £1.7m in 2025-26 · £5.49 per resident; similar councils £14 · up 5.2% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase](#d-adult-social-care) - Support with memory and cognition ### Support with memory and cognition £1.95 of your bill goes to support with memory and cognition at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £6.7m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 65 and over £1.83 ** 94.0% of this · £6.3m in 2025-26 · £20 per resident; similar councils £21 · up 4.7% on 2024-25 - Aged 18 to 64 £0.12 ** 6.0% of this · £401k in 2025-26 · £1.30 per resident; similar councils £2.29 · up 36.4% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase](#d-adult-social-care) - Sensory support ### Sensory support £0.25 of your bill goes to sensory support at Milton Keynes. Here is how its £842k of net spending on it divides in the return. - Aged 65 and over £0.14 ** 58.7% of this · £494k in 2025-26 · £1.60 per resident; similar councils £0.51 · up 0.6% on 2024-25 - Aged 18 to 64 £0.10 ** 41.3% of this · £348k in 2025-26 · £1.13 per resident; similar councils £0.61 · up 10.8% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable ### Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable £298.28 of your bill is this year's adult social care precept, which councils may raise on top of the usual limit for adult social care. It is shown against how Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable's adult social care spending of £715.9m divided in 2025-26. MHCLG publishes only this year's increase; the running total since 2016-17 printed on your bill is in the council part above. - [Your bill](#d-bill) - Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority ### Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority £89.46 of your bill goes to Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority. It is shared out below in proportion to how Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority spent its money in 2025-26, its latest published return. - [Fire and rescue](#d-fire~fire) £84.02 ** 93.9% of this part · £37.8m in 2025-26 · £42 per resident; similar councils £50 · up 42.2% on 2024-25 - [Running the council](#d-fire~central) £5.44 ** 6.1% of this part · £2.4m in 2025-26 · £2.74 per resident; similar councils £1.56 · down 77.8% on 2024-25 **Which councils count as similar** Medians are across the 10 fire and rescue authorities closest in population: Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, North Yorkshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, Cambridgeshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, East Sussex Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, Humberside Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority, Hereford and Worcester Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, Berkshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, Bedfordshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, Derbyshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority. Per-resident figures use ONS mid-year population estimates. - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority](#d-fire) - Fire and rescue ### Fire and rescue £84.02 of your bill goes to fire and rescue at Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority. Here is how its £37.8m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Firefighting and rescue £78.53 ** 93.5% of this · £35.3m in 2025-26 · £40 per resident; similar councils £39 · up 42.3% on 2024-25 - Community fire safety £5.49 ** 6.5% of this · £2.5m in 2025-26 · £2.77 per resident; similar councils £4.66 · up 39.7% on 2024-25 - [Your bill](#d-bill) - [Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority](#d-fire) - Running the council ### Running the council £5.44 of your bill goes to running the council at Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority. Here is how its £2.4m of net spending on it divides in the return. - Corporate and democratic core £4.86 ** 89.4% of this · £2.2m in 2025-26 · £2.45 per resident; similar councils £1.56 · up 47.8% on 2024-25 - Non-distributed costs (past pensions, unused assets) £0.58 ** 10.6% of this · £259k in 2025-26 · £0.29 per resident; similar councils £0.00 · up 2.0% on 2024-25 ## Parks, street cleaning and roads here What Milton Keynes spent, net of income, on the lines readers ask about most. Roads and street cleaning are also shown per mile of road the council looks after, where it is the highway authority. Gully cleaning and verge cutting are inside routine maintenance; no return splits them out. | Line | Net spending | Per resident | Similar councils, per resident | Per mile of road | Change | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Parks and open spaces (including play areas)Details | £6.7m | £22 | £18 | — | up 13.7% on 2024-25 | | Per resident£22Similar councils, per resident£18Per mile of road—Changeup 13.7% on 2024-25 | | | | | | | Street cleaningDetails | £5.6m | £18 | £12 | £6,784 (similar: £3,189) | up 8.5% on 2024-25 | | Per resident£18Similar councils, per resident£12Per mile of road£6,784 (similar: £3,189)Changeup 8.5% on 2024-25 | | | | | | | Road and bridge maintenanceDetails | £1.7m | £5.47 | £16 | £2,035 (similar: £4,951) | down 5.4% on 2024-25 | | Per resident£5.47Similar councils, per resident£16Per mile of road£2,035 (similar: £4,951)Changedown 5.4% on 2024-25 | | | | | | | Environmental, safety and routine maintenanceDetails | −£201k | £-0.65 | £9.88 | £-242.00 (similar: £4,493) | — | | Per resident£-0.65Similar councils, per resident£9.88Per mile of road£-242.00 (similar: £4,493)Change— | | | | | | | Structural maintenance (resurfacing, bridges)Details | £1.9m | £6.12 | £3.70 | £2,277 (similar: £1,896) | up 60.7% on 2024-25 | | Per resident£6.12Similar councils, per resident£3.70Per mile of road£2,277 (similar: £1,896)Changeup 60.7% on 2024-25 | | | | | | | Winter service (gritting)Details | £755k | £2.44 | £2.22 | £910 (similar: £859) | down 14.4% on 2024-25 | | Per resident£2.44Similar councils, per resident£2.22Per mile of road£910 (similar: £859)Changedown 14.4% on 2024-25 | | | | | | | Street lighting (including energy)Details | £3.3m | £11 | £9.17 | £3,958 (similar: £1,802) | down 25.0% on 2024-25 | | Per resident£11Similar councils, per resident£9.17Per mile of road£3,958 (similar: £1,802)Changedown 25.0% on 2024-25 | | | | | | Miles of road: Department for Transport road lengths, 2025; locally managed major roads and all minor roads. More on [what council tax does and doesn't pay for](/what-council-tax-pays-for/#local-environment). ## What it adds up to | Service | Per resident | Median | | --- | --- | --- | | EducationDetails | £779 | £712 | | Median£712 | | | | Adult social careDetails | £386 | £483 | | Median£483 | | | | Children's social careDetails | £291 | £309 | | Median£309 | | | | Environment and regulationDetails | £116 | £110 | | Median£110 | | | | Housing (not council homes)Details | £60 | £33 | | Median£33 | | | | Public healthDetails | £46 | £65 | | Median£65 | | | | Running the councilDetails | £36 | £52 | | Median£52 | | | | Parks, leisure, libraries and cultureDetails | £32 | £38 | | Median£38 | | | | Planning and developmentDetails | £16 | £22 | | Median£22 | | | | Roads and transportDetails | £10 | £49 | | Median£49 | | | - Milton Keynes spent **35.4%** of its gross service spending on its own staff in 2025-26 (median for unitary councils in England: 31.1%); the rest went on suppliers, contractors, grants, benefits and other running costs. ## What this data does and doesn't show - These are each body's own figures, as reported to government in its revenue outturn return. Net spending is after the fees, charges and grants a service brings in. - Your bill is for 2026-27; it is shared out using the latest published return, which covers an earlier year. The mix of spending changes little from one year to the next, but it does change. - Council tax is not ring-fenced: this shows your bill in proportion to spending, not what your money bought. Where a precept is set aside for adult social care, it is shown against adult social care. - No council publishes spending at street or property level, so nothing here says what was spent near you. - Sub-service lines are the ones the national returns itemise. Councils describe their own budgets differently; their budget books and statements of accounts have more detail. ## Sources - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, [Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England: Table 10, local authority level data](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a02eeeccd2e0e8b5b20b449/Table_10_2026-27.ods), published 25 March 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, [Local authority revenue expenditure and financing: Revenue Outturn multi-year data set](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab26ffffe72ed1e2b02ee74/Revenue_Outturn_time_series_data_v4.csv), published 28 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. How the split is worked out, and how the three nations' returns are matched to one list of services, is on the [methodology page](/methodology/#council-spending). The dataset is on the [data page](/data/#council-spending). See also [council tax in Milton Keynes](/council-tax/england/milton-keynes/) and [everything else about Milton Keynes](/your-area/milton-keynes/). ## Common questions What does council tax pay for in Milton Keynes? A Band D bill of £2,372.21 is split between Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes: adult social care precept, this year's increase, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable, Buckinghamshire Combined Fire and Rescue Authority, Parish and town councils (average for the area). In proportion to spending, the largest line is adult social care, £647.91.Is council tax ring-fenced for particular services? No. Council tax is pooled with grants, business rates and fees. The adult social care precept is the exception: councils raise it for adult social care. ## Sources for this page | Source | Publisher | Figures as of | Updated | Licence | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/council-tax-statistics) | Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | the 2026–27 financial year | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | | [Local authority revenue expenditure and financing: Revenue Outturn multi-year data set](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab26ffffe72ed1e2b02ee74/Revenue_Outturn_time_series_data_v4.csv) | Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government | 28 September 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) | Each source's figures are used under the licence shown. Our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations are ours, under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Related pages - [Next in this section: Parking income in Milton Keynes UA](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/parking/milton-keynes-ua/) - [Back to Milton Keynes: your area](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/your-area/milton-keynes/) - [How much is council tax and what does it pay for?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/council-tax/) - [Who is my MP, and what does their office cost?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/mps/) - [Where does my tax money actually go?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/for-every-100-pounds-of-tax/) ## More from this publisher - [UK tax calculators](https://howlongisit.co.uk) Published by [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). Our words, analysis, charts and derived calculations: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk). The figures belong to the publishers listed under Sources and are used under their licences. Figures last updated 29 September 2026.