UK inflation has surged to another 40-year high as fuel and energy prices rocketed amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, according to new official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 9.4% in June, up from 9.1% in May.
This remains the highest level since February 1982 and will put additional pressure on cash-strapped households trying to stay on top of their already tightened budgets. And it’s something several MPs have asked the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to take into consideration for the uprating on benefits, which increased by just 3.1% in April.
Earlier this week, Labour’s Shadow Justice Minister, Afzal Khan MP, asked the DWP if it would “increase Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and other associated benefits in line with inflation” but as with previous responses relating to similar questions about bringing the uprating forward, Minister for Disabled People, Chloe Smith MP, said that the review would not take place until later in the year.
DWP boss Dr Therese Coffey recently explained to the Work and Pensions Committee that she leaves it as late as possible to do the review but that implementing the change across IT systems takes months - it starts in November to ensure all changes have been applied for the start of the new financial year in April.
In a written response, Ms Smith explained: “The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is required to undertake an annual statutory review of benefits and pensions. She uses the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in the year to September to measure inflation.”
She added that PIP along with other benefits providing additional financial support to people with long-term health conditions or a disability, including Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance, have been “continuously updated in line with inflation since its introduction”.
Ms Smith also confirmed that the Secretary of State’s review for 2023/24 will “commence in the autumn and her decisions will be announced to Parliament in November in the normal way”.
People who were claiming disability benefits on May 25 will also be entitled to the one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150, which is due to be paid in September.
£150 if you get certain disability benefits
You may get a lump sum payment of £150 if you’re getting any award level for one of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Eligibility
You must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for May 25, 2022 to get the payment.
If you get a qualifying disability benefit from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and a qualifying disability benefit from DWP, you will get a Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP only.
When you will get paid
Payments will be made from September 2022.
If you also get a qualifying low income benefit or Tax Credits, you may get an additional Cost of Living Payment.
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