New analysis has revealed how the cap restored fairness to the
system - before they were capped, nearly 180 households were
getting the equivalent of a pre-tax salary of at least £57,000 in
benefits.
Since its introduction in 2013, 26,000 households who were
previously capped have moved into work, with a further 14,000
reducing their housing benefit claim, or ending their claim
altogether. Anyone eligible for Working Tax Credits is exempt
from the cap, providing a clear incentive to move into work.
The new benefit cap, limiting the total amount workless
households can receive in benefits to £20,000 across the UK or
£23,000 within Greater London, is now in place across the country
following its successful rollout.
Work and Pensions Secretary said:
Since the benefit cap was introduced in 2013, people in tens of
thousands of households have moved into work. The new lower cap
continues to build on that success by incentivising work.
There are over three quarters of a million job vacancies across
the country, and we are determined to do everything we can to
help people into work.
We are creating a country which works for everyone, and the
lower cap ensures the system remains fair to both the taxpayers
who pay for it and to those people who need it.
Anyone eligible for Working Tax Credits is exempt from the cap,
providing a clear incentive to move into work. People claiming
Carer’s Allowance, Guardian’s Allowance, and most disability
benefits are also exempt from the cap, ensuring those who cannot
work are supported.
The Department for Work and Pensions is also working closely with
local authorities, and will have provided them with over £1
billion of Discretionary Housing Payments by the end of this
Parliament to support people transitioning to our reforms, as the
new cap is introduced.
The new benefit cap is set at £20,000 a year outside London and
£23,000 in Greater London to reflect higher rent costs. For
single people without children, the cap is £15,410 in Greater
London and £13,400 elsewhere.
Anyone working and receiving Working Tax Credits is exempt from
the cap, as are households where someone receives Disability
Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence
Payment (PIP),
or the support component of Employment and Support Allowance
(ESA).
Those claiming Carer’s Allowance or Guardian’s Allowance are
exempt from the new cap, in recognition of the valuable
contribution they make to society.
Statistics on the new lower benefit cap will be released in May
2017.
