About this data

Source: HM Treasury, Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) 2026, Table 5.2

• The same categories as in the chart of what the government spends money on. PESA 2026 gives them for five financial years, 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Spending is 'public sector expenditure on services' as classified by HM Treasury, using the UN's Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG). It covers about 90% of total managed expenditure; the rest is accounting adjustments (such as depreciation and some pension and tax-credit adjustments) that aren't allocated to a function.
• Adjusted for inflation with HM Treasury's GDP deflator (October 2026), in 2025-26 prices.
• 2021-22 still included spending on COVID-19, such as NHS Test and Trace and vaccines (in 'Other health') and the furlough scheme's final months (in 'Business and employment support'). 'Energy' jumped in 2022-23, to £47 billion in 2025-26 prices, with help with energy bills such as the Energy Price Guarantee.
• Debt interest is all 'public debt transactions': central, local government and public corporation debt interest, the Bank of England's net costs, and the interest on public service pension schemes' liabilities.
• Pensions include the State Pension and public service pensions (such as for NHS staff, teachers and the armed forces). Social care is local authorities' personal social services for adults and children. 'Universal Credit, tax credits and other income support' includes child benefit.

More on this topic: Public spending.