DWP, USA News (Birmingham): Department for Work and Pensions figures show that 750,000 benefits claimants are now being handed £15,000 a year in sickness disability benefits. The Labour Party government is being urged to act as the welfare crisis hits a new record, with 752,797 people currently on the top-rate Universal Credit health element as well as the highest rates of both parts of Personal Independence Payment.
The Universal Credit health top-up stands at £423.27 a month, while maximum Personal Independence Payment pays £194.60 a week. Chancellor John Healey promised last week that the benefits bill will come down under Labour.
Political Reactions and Debate
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch branded the failure to commit to lower welfare spending astounding. The Tories’ Helen Whately stated that the Chancellor cannot just wish the welfare bill will come down and needs to come up with a plan and take decisions. Whately also claimed that Labour backbenchers forced Keir Starmer to back down on welfare savings.
Pressed on whether he was promising to bring down the overall benefits bill, or slow down the rate of increase, the Chancellor told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that the overall bill will come down under Labour, with changes starting next year.
| Benefit Type | Current Payment Rate | Recipient Details |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit Health Element | £423.27 a month | Top-rate health component |
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | £194.60 a week | Highest rates of both parts |
The Chancellor added that the government has already slowed down the rate of increase in the benefits bill since the election and noted that big changes are necessary. He pointed to devolution and the transformation of public services as ways to make efficiency savings during the upcoming spending review.
