# Where the £ goes: public spending by function

url: https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/where-public-money-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 the £ goes: public spending by function



Last updated 29 September 2026.
Figures refresh every night. [How each figure is worked out](/methodology/).





The UK public sector spent **£1,360.1bn** in 2025-26, **£19,573** per resident and 44.3% of GDP (HM Treasury). The largest items were social protection, including the state pension (£407.3bn), health (£257.5bn) and general public services (£165.5bn).



Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source:
[HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx).





## Key figures



- £1,360.1bnTotal managed expenditure, 2025-26

+1.9% in real terms on a year earlier
As of 16 July 2026
- £19,573Per resident, 2025-26


As of 16 July 2026
- 44.3%Of GDP, 2025-26


As of 16 July 2026
- £407.3bnSocial protection, 2025-26


As of 16 July 2026
- £257.5bnHealth, 2025-26


As of 16 July 2026




Sources: [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [Office for National Statistics](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates).






## By function, 2025-26





| Function | Cash | Per resident | Share of GDP | Real change on a year earlier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Social protection, including the state pension](/welfare/)Details | £407.3bn | £5,862 | 13.3% | +1.9% |
| Per resident£5,862Share of GDP13.3%Real change on a year earlier+1.9% | | | | |
| [Health](/nhs/)Details | £257.5bn | £3,706 | 8.4% | +2.7% |
| Per resident£3,706Share of GDP8.4%Real change on a year earlier+2.7% | | | | |
| General public servicesDetails | £165.5bn | £2,382 | 5.4% | −0.1% |
| Per resident£2,382Share of GDP5.4%Real change on a year earlier−0.1% | | | | |
| [Debt interest](/long-term-public-finances/)Details | £130.3bn | £1,875 | 4.2% | −0.4% |
| Per resident£1,875Share of GDP4.2%Real change on a year earlier−0.4% | | | | |
| EducationDetails | £125.7bn | £1,809 | 4.1% | −1.2% |
| Per resident£1,809Share of GDP4.1%Real change on a year earlier−1.2% | | | | |
| Economic affairs, including transportDetails | £94.0bn | £1,353 | 3.1% | +3.3% |
| Per resident£1,353Share of GDP3.1%Real change on a year earlier+3.3% | | | | |
| [Defence](/armed-forces/)Details | £65.4bn | £941 | 2.1% | −0.8% |
| Per resident£941Share of GDP2.1%Real change on a year earlier−0.8% | | | | |
| [Public order and safety](/police/)Details | £55.7bn | £802 | 1.8% | +3.9% |
| Per resident£802Share of GDP1.8%Real change on a year earlier+3.9% | | | | |
| Housing and community amenitiesDetails | £22.5bn | £324 | 0.7% | +0.2% |
| Per resident£324Share of GDP0.7%Real change on a year earlier+0.2% | | | | |
| Environment protectionDetails | £19.2bn | £276 | 0.6% | +7.3% |
| Per resident£276Share of GDP0.6%Real change on a year earlier+7.3% | | | | |
| Recreation, culture and religionDetails | £15.1bn | £217 | 0.5% | +7.3% |
| Per resident£217Share of GDP0.5%Real change on a year earlier+7.3% | | | | |





Source: HM Treasury, [PESA 2026: chapters 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), published 16 July 2026; Office for National Statistics, [Population estimates (UK and nations time series; local authorities on Nomis)](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates); HM Treasury, [GDP deflators at market prices, and money GDP](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp).





## Over time, in real terms




**Public spending by function, 2025-26 prices, £ billion**








Public sector expenditure on services by COFOG function. General public services includes debt interest, which the table lists separately. Figures before 1998-99 are on a cash basis and later ones on an accruals basis; 2020-21 to 2022-23 include Covid spending.




**The numbers behind this chart**



Search




| Year | Social protection | Health | General public services | Education | Economic affairs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1988-89Details | £159.7bn | £63.0bn | £73.1bn | £64.9bn | £52.6bn |
| Health£63.0bnGeneral public services£73.1bnEducation£64.9bnEconomic affairs£52.6bn | | | | | |
| 1989-90Details | £159.5bn | £62.9bn | £72.8bn | £67.4bn | £51.0bn |
| Health£62.9bnGeneral public services£72.8bnEducation£67.4bnEconomic affairs£51.0bn | | | | | |
| 1990-91Details | £163.7bn | £65.0bn | £67.4bn | £67.4bn | £51.8bn |
| Health£65.0bnGeneral public services£67.4bnEducation£67.4bnEconomic affairs£51.8bn | | | | | |
| 1991-92Details | £181.6bn | £69.9bn | £60.9bn | £70.9bn | £48.4bn |
| Health£69.9bnGeneral public services£60.9bnEducation£70.9bnEconomic affairs£48.4bn | | | | | |
| 1992-93Details | £200.7bn | £75.4bn | £61.7bn | £73.2bn | £51.3bn |
| Health£75.4bnGeneral public services£61.7bnEducation£73.2bnEconomic affairs£51.3bn | | | | | |
| 1993-94Details | £210.6bn | £78.4bn | £63.8bn | £74.3bn | £51.0bn |
| Health£78.4bnGeneral public services£63.8bnEducation£74.3bnEconomic affairs£51.0bn | | | | | |
| 1994-95Details | £215.0bn | £83.0bn | £69.1bn | £76.3bn | £50.4bn |
| Health£83.0bnGeneral public services£69.1bnEducation£76.3bnEconomic affairs£50.4bn | | | | | |
| 1995-96Details | £219.8bn | £84.6bn | £74.2bn | £75.6bn | £47.8bn |
| Health£84.6bnGeneral public services£74.2bnEducation£75.6bnEconomic affairs£47.8bn | | | | | |
| 1996-97Details | £222.9bn | £84.6bn | £74.1bn | £74.7bn | £46.0bn |
| Health£84.6bnGeneral public services£74.1bnEducation£74.7bnEconomic affairs£46.0bn | | | | | |
| 1997-98Details | £225.7bn | £87.7bn | £76.7bn | £76.1bn | £42.4bn |
| Health£87.7bnGeneral public services£76.7bnEducation£76.1bnEconomic affairs£42.4bn | | | | | |
| 1998-99Details | £223.9bn | £91.1bn | £77.4bn | £77.7bn | £38.1bn |
| Health£91.1bnGeneral public services£77.4bnEducation£77.7bnEconomic affairs£38.1bn | | | | | |
| 1999-00Details | £236.1bn | £94.8bn | £71.2bn | £81.0bn | £41.3bn |
| Health£94.8bnGeneral public services£71.2bnEducation£81.0bnEconomic affairs£41.3bn | | | | | |
| 2000-01Details | £244.5bn | £103.1bn | £73.6bn | £87.3bn | £45.3bn |
| Health£103.1bnGeneral public services£73.6bnEducation£87.3bnEconomic affairs£45.3bn | | | | | |
| 2001-02Details | £256.3bn | £111.6bn | £67.3bn | £95.5bn | £51.9bn |
| Health£111.6bnGeneral public services£67.3bnEducation£95.5bnEconomic affairs£51.9bn | | | | | |
| 2002-03Details | £265.6bn | £121.0bn | £65.8bn | £100.0bn | £56.3bn |
| Health£121.0bnGeneral public services£65.8bnEducation£100.0bnEconomic affairs£56.3bn | | | | | |
| 2003-04Details | £277.6bn | £133.6bn | £86.9bn | £108.8bn | £58.9bn |
| Health£133.6bnGeneral public services£86.9bnEducation£108.8bnEconomic affairs£58.9bn | | | | | |
| 2004-05Details | £284.3bn | £143.6bn | £93.5bn | £112.8bn | £58.0bn |
| Health£143.6bnGeneral public services£93.5bnEducation£112.8bnEconomic affairs£58.0bn | | | | | |
| 2005-06Details | £288.3bn | £151.4bn | £97.8bn | £117.7bn | £59.4bn |
| Health£151.4bnGeneral public services£97.8bnEducation£117.7bnEconomic affairs£59.4bn | | | | | |
| 2006-07Details | £289.7bn | £155.0bn | £100.8bn | £119.5bn | £61.2bn |
| Health£155.0bnGeneral public services£100.8bnEducation£119.5bnEconomic affairs£61.2bn | | | | | |
| 2007-08Details | £302.8bn | £162.3bn | £105.3bn | £126.4bn | £59.9bn |
| Health£162.3bnGeneral public services£105.3bnEducation£126.4bnEconomic affairs£59.9bn | | | | | |
| 2008-09Details | £314.8bn | £168.2bn | £107.4bn | £128.5bn | £76.8bn |
| Health£168.2bnGeneral public services£107.4bnEducation£128.5bnEconomic affairs£76.8bn | | | | | |
| 2009-10Details | £340.8bn | £178.6bn | £99.6bn | £135.2bn | £74.3bn |
| Health£178.6bnGeneral public services£99.6bnEducation£135.2bnEconomic affairs£74.3bn | | | | | |
| 2010-11Details | £346.2bn | £180.1bn | £117.0bn | £137.5bn | £59.9bn |
| Health£180.1bnGeneral public services£117.0bnEducation£137.5bnEconomic affairs£59.9bn | | | | | |
| 2011-12Details | £360.1bn | £178.4bn | £116.7bn | £127.2bn | £55.5bn |
| Health£178.4bnGeneral public services£116.7bnEducation£127.2bnEconomic affairs£55.5bn | | | | | |
| 2012-13Details | £366.4bn | £179.7bn | £108.2bn | £121.6bn | £52.9bn |
| Health£179.7bnGeneral public services£108.2bnEducation£121.6bnEconomic affairs£52.9bn | | | | | |
| 2013-14Details | £360.1bn | £183.3bn | £108.9bn | £120.0bn | £57.8bn |
| Health£183.3bnGeneral public services£108.9bnEducation£120.0bnEconomic affairs£57.8bn | | | | | |
| 2014-15Details | £364.7bn | £187.3bn | £105.7bn | £118.9bn | £57.3bn |
| Health£187.3bnGeneral public services£105.7bnEducation£118.9bnEconomic affairs£57.3bn | | | | | |
| 2015-16Details | £367.5bn | £192.1bn | £106.0bn | £117.8bn | £65.1bn |
| Health£192.1bnGeneral public services£106.0bnEducation£117.8bnEconomic affairs£65.1bn | | | | | |
| 2016-17Details | £360.9bn | £193.9bn | £109.1bn | £115.5bn | £66.8bn |
| Health£193.9bnGeneral public services£109.1bnEducation£115.5bnEconomic affairs£66.8bn | | | | | |
| 2017-18Details | £360.8bn | £197.8bn | £113.3bn | £115.6bn | £71.2bn |
| Health£197.8bnGeneral public services£113.3bnEducation£115.6bnEconomic affairs£71.2bn | | | | | |
| 2018-19Details | £360.8bn | £200.8bn | £106.2bn | £115.7bn | £79.7bn |
| Health£200.8bnGeneral public services£106.2bnEducation£115.7bnEconomic affairs£79.7bn | | | | | |
| 2019-20Details | £352.8bn | £209.9bn | £104.1bn | £115.9bn | £85.2bn |
| Health£209.9bnGeneral public services£104.1bnEducation£115.9bnEconomic affairs£85.2bn | | | | | |
| 2020-21Details | £363.9bn | £265.7bn | £87.5bn | £116.1bn | £238.6bn |
| Health£265.7bnGeneral public services£87.5bnEducation£116.1bnEconomic affairs£238.6bn | | | | | |
| 2021-22Details | £364.2bn | £262.2bn | £132.4bn | £121.4bn | £118.5bn |
| Health£262.2bnGeneral public services£132.4bnEducation£121.4bnEconomic affairs£118.5bn | | | | | |
| 2022-23Details | £365.1bn | £241.0bn | £188.3bn | £121.6bn | £141.1bn |
| Health£241.0bnGeneral public services£188.3bnEducation£121.6bnEconomic affairs£141.1bn | | | | | |
| 2023-24Details | £393.1bn | £239.0bn | £176.3bn | £122.9bn | £101.6bn |
| Health£239.0bnGeneral public services£176.3bnEducation£122.9bnEconomic affairs£101.6bn | | | | | |
| 2024-25Details | £399.6bn | £250.8bn | £165.7bn | £127.2bn | £91.0bn |
| Health£250.8bnGeneral public services£165.7bnEducation£127.2bnEconomic affairs£91.0bn | | | | | |
| 2025-26Details | £407.3bn | £257.5bn | £165.5bn | £125.7bn | £94.0bn |
| Health£257.5bnGeneral public services£165.5bnEducation£125.7bnEconomic affairs£94.0bn | | | | | |











Figure as of 16 July 2026. Source:
[HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c87a5ed915d6969f45852/pesa_2011_tables_chapter5.xlsx).






## The longest run: health, education and defence since 1955




**Health, education and defence as a share of GDP, since 1955-56**








Before 1988-89 the series are the OBR’s historical figures (from the IFS); from 1988-89 HM Treasury’s PESA. Share of GDP uses HM Treasury’s money GDP.




**The numbers behind this chart**



Search




| Year | Health | Education | Defence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1955-56Details | 2.8% | 2.8% | 7.6% |
| Education2.8%Defence7.6% | | | |
| 1956-57Details | 2.8% | 3.0% | 7.3% |
| Education3.0%Defence7.3% | | | |
| 1957-58Details | 2.9% | 3.2% | 6.8% |
| Education3.2%Defence6.8% | | | |
| 1958-59Details | 3.0% | 3.3% | 6.4% |
| Education3.3%Defence6.4% | | | |
| 1959-60Details | 3.0% | 3.4% | 6.1% |
| Education3.4%Defence6.1% | | | |
| 1960-61Details | 3.1% | 3.4% | 5.9% |
| Education3.4%Defence5.9% | | | |
| 1961-62Details | 3.1% | 3.6% | 6.0% |
| Education3.6%Defence6.0% | | | |
| 1962-63Details | 3.1% | 3.9% | 6.0% |
| Education3.9%Defence6.0% | | | |
| 1963-64Details | 3.1% | 4.0% | 5.8% |
| Education4.0%Defence5.8% | | | |
| 1964-65Details | 3.1% | 4.0% | 5.5% |
| Education4.0%Defence5.5% | | | |
| 1965-66Details | 3.3% | 4.2% | 5.4% |
| Education4.2%Defence5.4% | | | |
| 1966-67Details | 3.4% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Education4.3%Defence5.4% | | | |
| 1967-68Details | 3.5% | 4.4% | 5.5% |
| Education4.4%Defence5.5% | | | |
| 1968-69Details | 3.4% | 4.4% | 4.9% |
| Education4.4%Defence4.9% | | | |
| 1969-70Details | 3.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| Education4.4%Defence4.4% | | | |
| 1970-71Details | 3.3% | 4.4% | 4.2% |
| Education4.4%Defence4.2% | | | |
| 1971-72Details | 3.4% | 4.5% | 4.2% |
| Education4.5%Defence4.2% | | | |
| 1972-73Details | 3.4% | 4.6% | 4.1% |
| Education4.6%Defence4.1% | | | |
| 1973-74Details | 3.6% | 4.8% | 4.2% |
| Education4.8%Defence4.2% | | | |
| 1974-75Details | 4.0% | 5.1% | 4.2% |
| Education5.1%Defence4.2% | | | |
| 1975-76Details | 4.2% | 5.4% | 4.3% |
| Education5.4%Defence4.3% | | | |
| 1976-77Details | 4.2% | 5.1% | 4.3% |
| Education5.1%Defence4.3% | | | |
| 1977-78Details | 4.0% | 5.0% | 4.1% |
| Education5.0%Defence4.1% | | | |
| 1978-79Details | 3.9% | 4.9% | 4.0% |
| Education4.9%Defence4.0% | | | |
| 1979-80Details | 3.9% | 4.7% | 4.1% |
| Education4.7%Defence4.1% | | | |
| 1980-81Details | 4.1% | 5.0% | 4.3% |
| Education5.0%Defence4.3% | | | |
| 1981-82Details | 4.2% | 4.8% | 4.3% |
| Education4.8%Defence4.3% | | | |
| 1982-83Details | 4.1% | 4.8% | 4.5% |
| Education4.8%Defence4.5% | | | |
| 1983-84Details | 4.0% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Education4.6%Defence4.4% | | | |
| 1984-85Details | 4.0% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
| Education4.4%Defence4.6% | | | |
| 1985-86Details | 3.9% | 4.1% | 4.3% |
| Education4.1%Defence4.3% | | | |
| 1986-87Details | 3.9% | 4.2% | 4.1% |
| Education4.2%Defence4.1% | | | |
| 1987-88Details | 4.0% | 4.1% | 3.7% |
| Education4.1%Defence3.7% | | | |
| 1988-89Details | 3.9% | 4.0% | 3.4% |
| Education4.0%Defence3.4% | | | |
| 1989-90Details | 3.8% | 4.1% | 3.3% |
| Education4.1%Defence3.3% | | | |
| 1990-91Details | 4.0% | 4.1% | 3.2% |
| Education4.1%Defence3.2% | | | |
| 1991-92Details | 4.3% | 4.4% | 3.2% |
| Education4.4%Defence3.2% | | | |
| 1992-93Details | 4.6% | 4.5% | 3.2% |
| Education4.5%Defence3.2% | | | |
| 1993-94Details | 4.7% | 4.4% | 3.0% |
| Education4.4%Defence3.0% | | | |
| 1994-95Details | 4.8% | 4.4% | 2.8% |
| Education4.4%Defence2.8% | | | |
| 1995-96Details | 4.8% | 4.3% | 2.6% |
| Education4.3%Defence2.6% | | | |
| 1996-97Details | 4.6% | 4.1% | 2.4% |
| Education4.1%Defence2.4% | | | |
| 1997-98Details | 4.6% | 4.0% | 2.2% |
| Education4.0%Defence2.2% | | | |
| 1998-99Details | 4.6% | 3.9% | 2.4% |
| Education3.9%Defence2.4% | | | |
| 1999-00Details | 4.7% | 4.0% | 2.4% |
| Education4.0%Defence2.4% | | | |
| 2000-01Details | 4.9% | 4.1% | 2.3% |
| Education4.1%Defence2.3% | | | |
| 2001-02Details | 5.2% | 4.4% | 2.2% |
| Education4.4%Defence2.2% | | | |
| 2002-03Details | 5.5% | 4.5% | 2.2% |
| Education4.5%Defence2.2% | | | |
| 2003-04Details | 5.9% | 4.8% | 2.3% |
| Education4.8%Defence2.3% | | | |
| 2004-05Details | 6.2% | 4.8% | 2.2% |
| Education4.8%Defence2.2% | | | |
| 2005-06Details | 6.3% | 4.9% | 2.2% |
| Education4.9%Defence2.2% | | | |
| 2006-07Details | 6.3% | 4.9% | 2.2% |
| Education4.9%Defence2.2% | | | |
| 2007-08Details | 6.4% | 5.0% | 2.1% |
| Education5.0%Defence2.1% | | | |
| 2008-09Details | 6.8% | 5.2% | 2.3% |
| Education5.2%Defence2.3% | | | |
| 2009-10Details | 7.5% | 5.7% | 2.4% |
| Education5.7%Defence2.4% | | | |
| 2010-11Details | 7.3% | 5.6% | 2.4% |
| Education5.6%Defence2.4% | | | |
| 2011-12Details | 7.2% | 5.2% | 2.3% |
| Education5.2%Defence2.3% | | | |
| 2012-13Details | 7.2% | 4.9% | 2.1% |
| Education4.9%Defence2.1% | | | |
| 2013-14Details | 7.1% | 4.7% | 2.0% |
| Education4.7%Defence2.0% | | | |
| 2014-15Details | 7.1% | 4.5% | 1.9% |
| Education4.5%Defence1.9% | | | |
| 2015-16Details | 7.1% | 4.4% | 1.9% |
| Education4.4%Defence1.9% | | | |
| 2016-17Details | 7.0% | 4.2% | 1.8% |
| Education4.2%Defence1.8% | | | |
| 2017-18Details | 7.0% | 4.1% | 1.8% |
| Education4.1%Defence1.8% | | | |
| 2018-19Details | 7.0% | 4.0% | 1.8% |
| Education4.0%Defence1.8% | | | |
| 2019-20Details | 7.3% | 4.0% | 1.9% |
| Education4.0%Defence1.9% | | | |
| 2020-21Details | 10.4% | 4.5% | 2.1% |
| Education4.5%Defence2.1% | | | |
| 2021-22Details | 9.0% | 4.2% | 2.0% |
| Education4.2%Defence2.0% | | | |
| 2022-23Details | 8.1% | 4.1% | 2.1% |
| Education4.1%Defence2.1% | | | |
| 2023-24Details | 8.0% | 4.1% | 2.0% |
| Education4.1%Defence2.0% | | | |
| 2024-25Details | 8.3% | 4.2% | 2.2% |
| Education4.2%Defence2.2% | | | |
| 2025-26Details | 8.4% | 4.1% | 2.1% |
| Education4.1%Defence2.1% | | | |











Figure as of unknown date. Source:
[Office for Budget Responsibility](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197), [HM Treasury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx).






## Per resident, by nation



Spending that can be identified as for the people of one nation, divided by that nation’s population, so the
nations compare like for like. It leaves out spending for the UK as a whole (defence, debt interest, most
overseas spending), so it does not add up to the UK total and is never mixed with it.





| Function | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| HealthDetails | £3,462 | £3,539 | £3,758 | £3,659 |
| Scotland£3,539Wales£3,758Northern Ireland£3,659 | | | | |
| EducationDetails | £1,722 | £2,129 | £1,850 | £2,111 |
| Scotland£2,129Wales£1,850Northern Ireland£2,111 | | | | |
| Public order and safetyDetails | £653 | £707 | £688 | £831 |
| Scotland£707Wales£688Northern Ireland£831 | | | | |
| Social protectionDetails | £5,322 | £6,123 | £6,471 | £6,627 |
| Scotland£6,123Wales£6,471Northern Ireland£6,627 | | | | |
| Economic affairsDetails | £1,191 | £1,638 | £1,172 | £1,438 |
| Scotland£1,638Wales£1,172Northern Ireland£1,438 | | | | |
| Housing and community amenitiesDetails | £277 | £543 | £452 | £667 |
| Scotland£543Wales£452Northern Ireland£667 | | | | |





Source: HM Treasury, [Country and regional analysis 2025: B tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691b09b184a267da57d705d1/CRA_2025_Chapter_B_tables.xlsx), published 19 November 2025; Office for National Statistics, [Population estimates (UK and nations time series; local authorities on Nomis)](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates).





## What these figures do and don't show



- **Functions, not departments.** Spending is grouped by what it is for (the UN’s COFOG classification), whoever spends it, so it does not follow machinery-of-government changes between departments.
- **Cash, real terms and per head are all shown.** Real terms use HM Treasury’s GDP deflator in 2025-26 prices; per head uses ONS mid-year population.
- **The long run joins sources.** Before 1988-89 health, education and defence come from the OBR’s historical database; the join is at matching figures and is marked.
- **Nations and the UK are different measures.** Nation figures are identifiable spending only and never add up to the UK figure.






## Use this data



The figures belong to the bodies that published them and are used under their terms, listed in
[Sources for this page](#sources); most are Crown copyright under the Open Government Licence.
Only our own words, analysis, charts and derived calculations are ours, published under
[CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): reuse them, including
commercially, if you credit [Tekstak Ltd](https://tek-stak.co.uk) and link back to this page.



### Download



- [Public spending by function: the dataset (CSV)](/data/services/functions.csv)
[JSON](/data/services/functions.json)

- [All data, field definitions and licences](/data/)







## Sources for this page





| Source | Publisher | Figures as of | Updated | Licence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PESA 2026: chapters 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a5772f59e63154454413701/PESA_2026_CP_Chapter_5_tables.xlsx) | HM Treasury | 16 July 2026 | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Population estimates (UK and nations time series; local authorities on Nomis)](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates) | Office for National Statistics | — | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [GDP deflators at market prices, and money GDP](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gdp-deflators-at-market-prices-and-money-gdp) | HM Treasury | — | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [PESA 2011: chapter 4 and 5 tables](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c87a5ed915d6969f45852/pesa_2011_tables_chapter5.xlsx) | HM Treasury | — | annual | [Open Government Licence v3.0](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/) |
| [Historical public finances database](https://obr.uk/download/historical-public-finances-database/?tmstv=1790611197) | Office for Budget Responsibility | — | 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: Whole of government: all public spending by function, department, body and programme](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/whole-of-government/)
- [Where does my tax money actually go?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/for-every-100-pounds-of-tax/)
- [How much is council tax and what does it pay for?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/council-tax/)
- [How much crime is there where I live?](https://whereyourmoneygoes.co.uk/crime/)

## 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.