Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the current level of benefits is sufficient to meet the rising costs of living.

The Secretary of State undertakes an annual review of benefits and pensions using the Consumer Prices Index in the year to September. This is the latest figure that the Secretary of State can use to allow sufficient time for the required legislative and operational changes before new rates can be introduced at the start of the following April. All benefit up-rating since April 1987 has been based on the increase in the relevant price inflation index in the 12 months to the previous September.

The government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living. These are global challenges, and the government has taken action to support families with help worth over £22 billion in 2022-23.

The £22bn of extra support includes the £9.1bn energy package, the Universal Credit taper rate reduction from 63% to 55%, the increase in the Universal Credit work allowance by £500 per annum and the doubling of the Household Support Fund to £1bn by providing an extra £500 million from April 2022, on top of the £500 million already provided since October 2021.