Benefits and pensions rise today as government policy changes aimed at easing the cost of living come into effect.
The two-child benefit cap ended on Monday, in a move expected to lift 450,000 children out of poverty.
First introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, the cap limited households to only receiving per-child financial support for their first two children.
The change to the policy was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during the budget last year, following months of pressure from Labour backbenchers.
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Elsewhere, state pensions will rise 4.8% rise in line with average wages, which will give millions of pensioners an additional £575 this year, the government said.
The biggest rise will be for those who became state pension age after April 2016, who will see their flat-rate state pension increase to £241.30 a week, giving them £12,547.60 a year.
Those who reached state pension age before April 2016 will see their state pensions increase to £184.90 a week, or £9,614.80 a year – giving them an extra £439.40.
Housing benefit and personal independence payments are also being uprated from today, and fathers will no longer need six months of service before they’re allowed to take paternity leave.
Sir Keir Starmer said he understood concern over the economic impact of the Iran war Credit: PA
“No matter the global uncertainty, my government will always be on the side of the British people in bearing down on the cost of living,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
“I will never lose sight of how restless people are for change, and I am proud that today we are lifting nearly half a million children out of poverty, boosting support for pensioners, and delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.”
Starmer also said he understood the concern over the ongoing economic impact of the US-Israeli war in Iran on the UK and other countries.
“We are working closely with international partners to push for a de-escalation in the Middle East and the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz,” Starmer said.
“This is the most effective way to ease the pressure on the cost of living.
“I am clear that our response to the current global situation will define us for a generation, which is why we are taking the right long-term decisions now to ensure we emerge from this as a stronger, more secure nation.”
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