Millions of people across the UK stand to see their benefit payments rise next year. There's an estimated 19.2 million families and 39.8 million individuals across the UK currently in receipt of State Pension or benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The rise of 10.1% is welcome news, especially as the nation struggles amid the cost of living crisis and ever increasing fuel bills. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, made the commitment in his Autumn Statement, when he confirmed that State Pension, disability and working age benefits would be uprated from April in line with the rate of inflation in September.
Mr Hunt said there had been some arguments to uplift working age and disability benefits below the level of inflation, but said that “would not be consistent with our commitment to protect the most vulnerable”. He added that the 10.1% increase was: "an expensive commitment, costing £11 billion" continuing, "but it means 10 million working age families will see a much-needed increase next year, which speaks to our priorities as a Government and our priorities as a nation. On average, a family on Universal credit will benefit next year by around £600, and to increase the number of households who can benefit from this decision I will also exceptionally increase the benefit cap with inflation next year.”
