AQW 4925/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 19/10/2022
Answered On Date: 05/09/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities how is she ensuring that the needs and rights of children in families, who rely on benefits, are being met.

Answer:

The Department is committed to supporting people through the welfare benefits system.

A range of measures have been introduced, including:

47% increase in the maximum amount of childcare costs available under Universal Credit from 28 June 2023,

10.1% increase in working age benefits from April 2023,

a further 6.7% increase from April 2024, and

an increase in Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents from April 2024.

A package of Cost of Living support payments was paid over the course of the 2023/24 financial year to those in receipt of certain means-tested benefits, disability benefits and pensions.

In addition, in Northern Ireland, families with children are protected from the effects of the Benefit Cap and Social Sector Size Criteria (Bedroom Tax) through existing welfare mitigation schemes.

Further information on all support available can be found at:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/benefits-and-money