Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Paragraph: 87
Without the uplift, benefits for the unemployed are at their lowest real-terms level since the...
Conclusion
Without the uplift, benefits for the unemployed are at their lowest real-terms level since the early 1990s. Had they grown in line with GDP per capita since 1990, they would be £40 a week higher. The future value of benefits is also being reduced given the increasing cost of living, as inflation is predicted to rise above 7% by April, but benefits for those in work and unemployed are only rising by 3.1%.
Government response summary AI-generated
The DWP is undertaking a national communications campaign to raise awareness of Pension Credit, including promotional activity on social media, search engines, newspapers, leaflets and posters. They also engage regularly with the Welsh Government on Pension Credit take-up activities.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
87
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The UK Government rejects this recommendation. The UK Government has always been clear that the £20 increase was a temporary measure to support those households most economically affected by the economic shock of Covid-19. It was always intended to be temporary. More recently, the UK Government is now providing over £15bn in further support towards cost-of-living pressures, targeted particularly on those with the greatest need, with UK Government support for the cost of living now totalling over £37bn this year. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is required by law to undertake an annual review of benefits and pensions. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in the year to September is the latest figure that she can use to allow sufficient time for the required operational changes before new rates can be introduced at the start of the new financial year. Benefit up-rating since April 1987 has been based on the increase in the relevant price inflation index in the year to the previous September. The increase of 3.1% from April 2022 was debated and approved by both Houses of Parliament earlier this year.
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