Committees

Benefit levels in the UK

Inquiry

In our July 2022 report, The cost of living, we heard evidence which suggested that a root cause of the financial challenges households faced “lay in the fundamental inadequacy of social security support”. We therefore recommended that the Government should “review the adequacy of benefit levels and publish its findings”. The Government responded that it did not intend to review the adequacy of benefit levels, because “there was no objective way of deciding what an adequate level of benefits should be”.

Given the high costs facing households across the UK, we are launching an inquiry into the adequacy of benefit levels in the UK, to help inform current and future Government thinking. We will also look at the relationship between social security and the labour market.

- Watch the British Sign Language version of the report

- Listen to the audio summary of the report

- EasyRead version of the report

- Large print report

This inquiry focussed specifically on working-age benefits; however, other types of benefits might arise.

Read the call for evidence to learn more about the inquiry..

 

We understand that the issues raised in this work may be sensitive or upsetting and the following organisations may be able to offer support or further information:

Samaritans – General support for everyone. Call 116 123 - 24 hours a day, every day, or email jo@samaritans.org

Mind – for information, advice, and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Call 0300 123 3393.

Citizens Advice - For independent, free advice provided by a network of charities online, over the phone and in person on a wide variety of issues including benefits, work, debt, housing, family and immigration. Their Adviceline is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, by calling 0800 144 8848 (England) or 0800 702 2020 (Wales)

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Wednesday 3 May 2023.

Reports, special reports and government responses

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Second Report - Benefit levels in the UK
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
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HC 142
Report
Response to this report
Third Special Report - Benefit levels in the UK: Government’s response to the Committee’s Second Report
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225KB
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HC 798
Special Report
Large Print Report - Benefit levels in the UK
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
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2MB
Report
Response to this report
Large Print - Third Special Report - Benefit levels in the UK: Government’s response to the Committee’s Second Report
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389KB
HC 798
Special Report
Third Special Report - Benefit levels in the UK: Government’s response to the Committee’s Second Report
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
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225KB
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HC 798
Special Report

Correspondence

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Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Benefit levels in the UK
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
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Correspondence
Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to Benefit levels in the UK
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
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Correspondence
Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to benefit deductions
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
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Correspondence

Oral evidence transcripts

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6 December 2023
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
Witnesses Mel Stride (Secretary of State at Department for Work and Pensions), Katie Farrington (Director General for Disability, Health and Pensions at Department for Work and Pensions), and Katherine Green (Director General for Labour Market Policy and Implementation at Department for Work and Pensions)
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Oral Evidence
13 September 2023
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
Witnesses Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University, Carers UK, New Economics Foundation, Rethink Mental Illness, Money Advice Trust, StepChange Debt Charity, and Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales
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Oral Evidence
19 July 2023
Inquiry Benefit levels in the UK
Witnesses Andrew Harrop (General Secretary at Fabian Society), Mike Brewer (Deputy Chief Executive at Resolution Foundation), Rebecca Deegan (Head of Protection and Health Policy at Association of British Insurers), Iain Mansfield (Director of Research at Policy Exchange), Emily Farchy (Economist at OECD), Céline Jaeggy (Director of Legal and Institutional Affairs at UNEDIC), and Kristoffer Lundberg (Deputy Director, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs at Government of Sweden)
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Become (BPI0102)
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StepChange Debt Charity (BPI0101)
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Association of British Insureres (BPI0100)
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Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

We can’t usually help you with an individual problem or a specific complaint.

  • Email: workpencom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 8976 | 020 7219 1679 (Media)
  • Address: Work and Pensions Committee | House of Commons | London | SW1A 0AA