Where the government’s money comes from, and where it goes
Each year the government collects money, mostly in taxes, and spends it on public services, pensions and more. Here is the big picture for 2025-26.
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in taxes and other income, 2025-26
on public services and benefits
borrowed, because spending was higher
That is about £19,574 spent for every person in the UK. How do we count this?
Where it comes from
Money collected, 2025-26
Where it goes
Money spent, 2025-26
Every £100 the government spends
This is how a typical £100 is divided.
Each square is £1 of every £100 the government spends.
Over the last 20 years
View data table
| Year | Spending | Money collected | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | 39.7% | 36.8% | 2.9% |
| 2007-08 | 40.0% | 37.3% | 2.7% |
| 2008-09 | 43.0% | 37.5% | 5.5% |
| 2009-10 | 46.0% | 35.7% | 10.3% |
| 2010-11 | 45.5% | 36.4% | 9.1% |
| 2011-12 | 44.4% | 37.1% | 7.3% |
| 2012-13 | 43.8% | 36.3% | 7.5% |
| 2013-14 | 42.2% | 36.5% | 5.7% |
| 2014-15 | 41.6% | 36.1% | 5.5% |
| 2015-16 | 40.8% | 36.4% | 4.4% |
| 2016-17 | 40.0% | 36.7% | 3.3% |
| 2017-18 | 39.7% | 37.0% | 2.7% |
| 2018-19 | 39.1% | 36.8% | 2.3% |
| 2019-20 | 39.1% | 36.9% | 2.2% |
| 2020-21 | 52.3% | 39.5% | 12.8% |
| 2021-22 | 43.4% | 36.8% | 6.6% |
| 2022-23 | 44.1% | 40.1% | 4.0% |
| 2023-24 | 44.1% | 38.9% | 5.2% |
| 2024-25 | 44.0% | 38.9% | 5.1% |
| 2025-26 | 44.3% | 39.4% | 4.9% |
All the borrowing added up over many years. That is 94% of everything the UK economy produces in a year.
Interest on debt costs £130bn a year.
What changed this year
Sources: HM Treasury, Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (2026-07-16); HMRC, tax receipts and National Insurance contributions (2026-09-22); Office for National Statistics, public sector finances. Money collected = spending minus borrowing. Updated 4 Oct 2026.