Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing age related benefit rates in response to the cost of living crisis.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of removing age related benefits in response to the cost of living.

Universal Credit provides those who are under age 25 with lower rates than those age 25 or over. This is to reflect the fact that these claimants are more likely to live in someone else’s household and have lower living costs. It also reflects the lower wages that younger workers typically receive. However, it is acknowledged that some claimants under 25 do live independently, which is why Universal Credit includes separate elements to provide support to claimants with these additional costs, such as housing costs.

These additional amounts are provided to claimants at the same level irrespective of age.

The government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living. These are global challenges, that is why the government is providing over £15bn in further support, targeted particularly on those with the greatest need. This package is in addition to the over £22bn announced previously, with government support for the cost of living now totalling over £37 billion this year.

The £37 billion includes:

A £650 payment, made in two instalments, to more than 8 million low-income households on means tested benefits and tax credits. Separate one-off payments of £300 to pensioner households (through and as an addition to the Winter Fuel Payment) and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits.