Tax Information Government Tax Spending

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How the Government Spends the Tax We Pay

Our Tax Guide covers the scope by which Government raises what in this current year is expected to be over £428 billion. Treasury projections for the current year provide an interesting insight into how our taxes are spent.

2003/04 2002/03
£ billion % £ billion %
Total456100418100
Social Security1332911528
NHS72166515
Education59135413
Law and Order276246
Defence266245
Debt Interest225216
Housing and Environment204205
Industry, Agriculture and Employment163174
Health and Personal Social Services174154
Transport153143
Other *49114911

* Other includes central administration, culture, media and sport, international cooperation and development and public service pensions, plus spending yet to be allocated and some accounting adjustments.