Written Question·Department for Work and Pensions·UIN 44785

Universal Credit

Tabled: 7 April 2025

Answered: 22 April 2025

Question

Victoria Collins

Liberal Democrat — Harpenden and Berkhamsted

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will take steps to (a) update the basic rate of Universal Credit annually inline with inflation and (b) introduce an essentials guarantee to reflect the cost of living.

Answer

Sir Stephen Timms

We will bring in a permanent, above inflation, rise to the standard allowance in Universal Credit for the first time ever by raising the standard allowance above inflation from 2026/27 until 2029/30. This is in stark contrast to a freeze between 2016/17 a...

ⓘ

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 44785) →