Government budget and revenue in Scotland, United Kingdom: official figures
HM Treasury counted £86,328 million of identifiable public spending in Scotland in 2024-25, 9.2% of the UK total, up from £80,827 million in 2020-21.
How much is public spending per person in Scotland?
Public spending in Scotland came to £15,563 per person in 2024-25, 15% above the UK average of £13,504 (index 115), 2nd highest of 12 UK nations and English regions.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHas public spending in Scotland gone up or down?
In 2024-25 prices, spending per head in Scotland fell from £17,501 in 2020-21, a year of pandemic support, to £15,563 in 2024-25, a real change of -11.1%.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow big is the Scottish Government budget?
The Scottish Government and the bodies it sponsors spent £39,448 million on services in Scotland in 2024-25, 45.7% of all identifiable public spending there, while UK government departments spent £25,801 million, mostly on pensions and benefits.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow much do councils in Scotland spend?
Local government in Scotland accounted for £21,061 million of identifiable spending in 2024-25, or £3,563 per resident (UK £2,904).
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow much is spent on police and transport in Scotland?
Per person in 2024-25, Scotland received £707 of public spending on police, courts and prisons and £1,638 on economic affairs including transport, against UK averages of £664 and £1,233.
Source: HM Treasury · saved copyHow Scotland compares with other nations
Total identifiable public spending per head (£) (2024-25)
Scotland ranks 2 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Total identifiable public spending per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Ireland | £16,116 |
| 2 | Scotland | £15,563 |
| 3 | London | £15,217 |
| 4 | Wales | £15,155 |
| 5 | North East | £14,102 |
| 6 | North West | £13,835 |
| 7 | West Midlands | £13,160 |
Change in real-terms public spending per head, 2020-21 to 2024-25 (%) (2020-21 to 2024-25)
Scotland ranks 4 of 12, highest first. In 2024-25 prices; 2020-21 included pandemic spending
| Rank | Region | Change in real-terms public spending per head, 2020-21 to 2024-25 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Ireland | -10.0% |
| 2 | Wales | -10.7% |
| 3 | North East | -11.0% |
| 4 | Scotland | -11.1% |
| 5 | West Midlands | -12.0% |
| 6 | North West | -12.3% |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | -12.8% |
Local government identifiable spending per head (£) (2024-25)
Scotland ranks 3 of 12, highest first. Northern Ireland councils have fewer functions than in Great Britain
| Rank | Region | Local government identifiable spending per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | £3,960 |
| 2 | Wales | £3,935 |
| 3 | Scotland | £3,563 |
| 4 | North West | £3,111 |
| 5 | North East | £3,051 |
| 6 | West Midlands | £2,739 |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £2,706 |
More on Scotland: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · the United Kingdom
Sources
- HM Treasury: Country and Regional Analysis 2025: A tables, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9a6a7af9e2bd…)
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