Overview
- Legislation has been laid in Parliament to put the Universal Credit changes into effect from April.
- New health‑element claimants will receive £217.26 per month from April, a reduction of £212.54 compared with the higher rate paid today.
- The standard allowance will rise by roughly £300 a year, with nearly four million households benefiting and a single adult aged 25 or over gaining about £295 this year.
- Employers and HR experts caution the reforms will falter without funding and support for adjustments, supervision and phased starts for people with health conditions.
- The DWP says existing health claimants and those meeting severe, lifelong or end‑of‑life criteria will keep the higher rate, with the LCWRA rate scheduled to reach £429.80 in 2026/27.