Read the latest social welfare news from around the UK.
PIP Awards get Longer
The government has announced its intent for clients over age 25-
'...The intent is to keep the PIP system operationally sustainable in the face of
Latest Universal Credit Stats.
Latest UC stats to February 2026 show- 8.3 million people on Universal Credit.
Can you Insist on a face to face hearing at a Tribunal?
Not insist, perhaps, but you can request it.
Rules around remote hearings state 'The overriding objective of these Rules is to enable the Upper Tribunal to deal
Declare Changes Quickly
The total rate of Unfulfilled Eligibility in FYE 2026 was 1.2% (£3.7 billion),' The Government study aims to assess
Free Benefit Rates Poster 2026/ 2027- hardcopies and printable, downloadable course booklets
Benefit rates are increasing.
Available from late April 2026
onwards- Benefit Rates Posters
2026/ 2027.
Free colour hard copy(ies)-Just
send an A4 Stamp Addressed
Envelope with postage for a large
envelope to us at:
Benefit Rates Posters 2026/ 2027
Social Welfare Training Limited 37
PIP- 2 questions
Latest Pip stats tell us the answers to two questions we are often asked-
How long is PIP paid for?
UC- Work Capability Assessments – 2 questions
Latest DWP stats tell us answers-
How many clients on UC have limited capability or work?
Changes to Statutory Sick Pay
A new law has come in from 6/4/2026 enhancing rights to Statutory Sick Pay.
What does it mean?
● Abolish waiting days- employees will have a new right to SSP from the frst day of sickness absence.
DHP's Replaced
Crisis and Resilience Fund from April 2026- April 2029(£1 billion in total).
Large Reduction in Child Poverty in April
Around 4.5 million children were in relative poverty in the year to April 2024.
The 2 child limit is being removed by the Government in April 2026. This
affects those on Universal Credit (not Child Beneft- where there is no limit).
Flexible Support Fund to go Digital
Applications for extra support getting into work is provided by the Flexible
Support Fund. Work coaches put in the applications on behalf of clients, for
example for childcare costs in advance.
The government has confrmed -
New Rate of LCWRA Element from April
The government hopes to save £3 billion by 2029/ 2030 by freezing the rate of the LCWRA element and introducing
a new lower rate for some newer claimants. Here is new law- Universal Credit Act 2025 section 2 schedule 1 and the
Over 8 Million People on UC
Latest Universal Credit Statistics(to October 2025) show '...there were 8.3
million people on Universal Credit in October 2025, up from 7.2 million people
on Universal Credit in October 2024, driven in part by claimants moving from
legacy benefits .'
Nearly 4 million on PIP
Latest PIP stats tell us 'as at 31 October 2025 there were 3.9 million claimants entitled to PIP (caseload) in England