UK central government total expenditure
UK central government total expenditure stood at £106,986m in Aug 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Public sector finances table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Apr 1997 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Public sector finances table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central government total expenditure | |||||||||||
| Central government | 106,986 | 117,293 | 111,444 | 110,313 | 121,204 | 120,661 | 109,044 | 105,396 | 106,984 | 97,623 |
Understanding UK central government total expenditure
This aggregate captures the entirety of current and capital outlays disbursed by the central government of the United Kingdom, excluding local authorities and public corporations. It includes departmental operational spending, central welfare payments, national infrastructure investments and debt interest serviced by central authorities. It differs from local government expenditure series by focusing solely on central administration responsibilities and nationally funded programmes.
Evaluating this series requires attention to end-of-year financial settlements and departmental budget allocations that create seasonal spending patterns. Revisions occur as departments provide updated outturn data and correct provisional estimates. Analysts should review this metric alongside central revenue figures to determine the central government fiscal balance. Comparing it with total managed expenditure shows the relative share of spending managed directly by the centre.
Frequently asked questions
- What spending is captured in central government total expenditure?
- All current and capital outlays by central government departments and agencies.
- Does this include grants paid to local authorities?
- Yes, grants from the centre to local bodies are recorded as central expenditure and local revenue.
- Why do expenditures often peak in the final month of the financial year?
- Departments complete project milestones and finalise contractual commitments before accounting deadlines.