Millions of benefit claimants are set to see an increase in their payments from next week, when the new 2023/24 rates come into effect. The DWP is set to increase benefit rates in April in line with September's inflation (consumer price index) figure of 10.1%.
The news will come as a major relief to households on low incomes who had been fearing a below-inflation increase to rates before Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed the news in his autumn statement back in November. Benefits are normally uplifted in line with inflation, but there had been fears this may not happen due to high inflation and ministers refusing to confirm what the new rates would be.
The news will help ease the financial burden for millions of people being impacted by the cost of living crisis. However, some have warned increased deductions from April for claimants with debt or arrears will leave some no more than a few pounds better off.
