Across the UK there are millions of people who rely on benefits to get by. This can be everything from State Pension or Attendance Allowance through to Universal Credit or PIP.
Figures from 2025 revealed there are around 24 million people receiving some form of Department of Work and Pensions ( DWP ) benefit. This includes approximately 13 million people of State Pension age and 10 million who are of working age. There are also some children with disabilities who are eligible for help.
Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in her autumn budget, announced changes to various benefits. This included ending the two-child limit which means families with more than two children will get increased payments.
Rachel Reeves announced several changes in her autumn budget -Credit:Getty Images
Charity Turn2us, which helps people access benefits they need, has a list of every change planned so far for 2026. In an updated guide released last week it outlined all those currently known, but warned more changes could be ahead.
It added: “Although some will happen quickly, others may be introduced gradually.” This is what they said:
March 2026
All legacy benefits will end on 31 March 2026. No further payments will be made.
April 2026
Universal Credit
There will be changes to Universal Credit, starting from April 2026:
The two-child limit will be removed. This means families with three or more children will receive an extra child element payment for each additional child
New claimants of Universal Credit who get LCWRA will not get the full £94 per week and instead get £50
The maximum amount available for Universal Credit Childcare Costs will increase by £736.06 for each additional child above the two-child cap
The Universal Credit standard allowance will increase from:
£316.98 to £338.58 per month for single people aged under 25
£400.14 to £424.90 per month for single people aged 25 and over
£497.55 to £528.34 per month for joint claimants both aged under 25
£628.10 to £666.97 per month for joint claimants both aged 25 and over
Benefit increases
Social security benefits across the UK will increase by 3.8%
The New and Basic State Pension will increase by 4.8%
The National Living Wage will rise by 4.1%, from £12.21 to 12.71 per hour
The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase by 8.5%, from £10.00 to £10.85 per hour. For 16 to 17-year-olds and apprentices it will increase by 6% from £7.55 to £8.00 per hour
Extra taxes will be added to cars leased through the Motability Scheme, along with restrictions on certain car brands.
October 2026
The Warm Home Discount Scheme opens for applications in England, Scotland and Wales.
November 2026
Across the UK, eligible pensioners will begin to receive their Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Cold Weather Payment 2026 scheme opens
In Scotland, the Winter Heating Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment will be paid to eligible households
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