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Universal Credit claimants could get benefits boost to combat State Pension age rise
The committee says the temporary rise would cost about £600 million and help older claimants avoid poverty while waiting for State Pension age to rise.
- The Work and Pensions Select Committee has called on the Government to urgently increase Universal Credit payments for 66-year-olds as the State Pension age rises to 67, aiming to prevent widespread poverty.
- People caught by the State Pension age increase face a sharp financial cliff edge; those aged 66 may rely on around £425 monthly via Universal Credit, while Pension Credit offers more than £1,000 for eligible pensioners.
- Evidence presented during the inquiry suggests the temporary measure would cost around £600 million, representing a fraction of the estimated £10.5 billion the Treasury expects to save from the State Pension age increase.
- Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, welcomed the report, warning that forcing people to wait for their State Pension creates an "entirely foreseeable increase in poverty" among pre-pensioners.
- MPs also criticized the Government for relying on impact assessments over a decade old, urging implementation of the temporary benefit boost by the end of this year to prevent further hardship.
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Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center32Last UpdatedBias Distribution84% Center
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C 84%
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