How long does money last?
Big numbers stop meaning anything. This turns them into time: how long a sum keeps the NHS running, pays the state pension, or covers the interest on the national debt.
Every budget
Annual figures for 2025-26. Departmental lines are day-to-day running costs; capital spending is separate and, for defence especially, large.
| Budget | Address | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| The whole UK governmentONS Public sector finances, 2025-26 total managed expenditure (~£1.36tn) | /everything | £1.36tn |
| The NHSOBR: DHSC day-to-day (RDEL) budget 2025-26, £204bn | /nhs | £204bn |
| The state pensionDWP state pension expenditure 2025-26, ~£145.6bn | /pensions | £145.6bn |
| Social protection (all benefits and pensions)HMT PESA social protection 2025-26, ~£379bn | /welfare | £379bn |
| Interest on the national debtONS: central government debt interest payable 2025-26, £97.6bn | /interest | £97.6bn |
| Schools and educationOBR: Education day-to-day (RDEL) budget 2025-26, £95bn | /education | £95bn |
| Defence (day-to-day)OBR: MoD day-to-day (RDEL) budget 2025-26, £39bn; add ~£20bn+ capital for the full bill | /defence | £39bn |
| The deficitONS: public sector net borrowing 2025-26, £128.0bn | /borrowing | £128bn |
| HMRC's takeHMRC receipts 2025-26, £938.8bn | /taxes | £938.8bn |
| The monarchy (Sovereign Grant)HM Treasury: Sovereign Grant 2025-26, £132.1m | /monarchy | £132m |