Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to increase Carer’s Allowance and other benefits in line with inflation predictions when benefit ratings take effect on 11 April 2022.

The Secretary of State undertakes an annual review of benefits and pensions, and the Consumer Prices Increase (CPI) in the year to September (published by the Office for National Statistics in October) is the latest figure that the Secretary of State can use to allow sufficient time for the required legislative and operational changes before new rates can be introduced at the start of the new financial year.

We recognise people are facing pressures with the cost of living – which is why we are providing support with the cost of living worth £22 billion across this financial year and next.

In his Spring Statement the Chancellor announced the doubling the Support Fund to help households with the cost of living to £1billion by providing an extra £500 million from April 2022, on top of the £500 million already provided since October 2021. In England, The Household Support Fund will help households with the cost of essentials such as food, clothing and utilities and will continue to be distributed to Local Authorities, who are best placed to direct help to those who need it most. The Devolved Administrations will receive £79 million of this additional funding.