Social Security update

Emma Reynolds Excerpts

Wednesday 28th October 2026 Written Statements

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Emma Reynolds)]

The Tax Credits Act 2002 and the Social Security Administration Act 1992 place a statutory duty on His Majesty’s Treasury to review the rates of tax credits and child benefit each year in line with the general level of prices. There is a further statutory duty on the Treasury to increase guardian’s allowance in line with price growth. I have now concluded the review for the tax year 2027-28.

I have decided to increase child benefit rates in line with the consumer price index for the year to September 2026, which is 3.5%. Guardian’s allowance will also increase by the same rate. This means that, from 12 April 2027:

the child benefit rate for the eldest child will increase from £27.05 to £28.00 per week;

the child benefit rate for other children will increase from £17.90 to £18.55 per week;

guardian’s allowance will increase from £22.95 to £23.75 per week.

I have determined that there will be no need for changes to tax credits rates in the tax year 2027-28, as there are no tax credits awards after 5 April 2025.

The new rates will apply across the United Kingdom. I will deposit the full list of these rates in the Library of each House shortly.

[HCWS425]