Universal Credit: Cost of Living
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of payment levels under Universal Credit in meeting essential living costs.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
The Government has taken important steps to improve the support available to help people with their living costs. This includes legislating to deliver the first sustained above inflation rise to the basic rate of Universal Credit since it was introduced, with the first increase starting in April. Additionally, the Secretary of State increased most working age benefits across Great Britain for 2026/27 by 3.8% in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in the year to September 2025.
We will continue to consider evidence and insights from a range of organisations to ensure the social security system provides the support people need.
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