English councils spent £113.5bn in 2022/23 of which almost two thirds was on education and social services according to latest official figures.

In real terms the total was 0.6% lower than the previous year but while spending on highways, transport and public health fell that on children's social care rose by 6.7% to £12.8bn. Total spending on adult and children's social care and education represented 62% of total council budgets.