Where Data Tells the Story
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What does the British government spend its budget on? The chart shows spending broken down by category, scaled to £100. It combines both central and local government spending.
Social protection is the single largest item. Out of every £100 spent, £33 goes to it — more than health, at £19 per £100. The UK is typical in this regard — in every OECD country except the US, social protection is the biggest category.
Public services also account for a large share: £14 per £100. These include core government functions, foreign aid, and interest payments on government debt.
Education and economic affairs, which support the broader economy or specific industries such as fishing and manufacturing, are also prominent categories.