The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) runs the UK’s main welfare and pensions system, administering benefits for millions of people. Its responsibilities include payments such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and the State Pension, as well as wider welfare reforms.
People on low incomes, disabled people, carers and pensioners can often claim DWP benefits and extra financial help even if they are working, have savings or own their home, depending on the rules for each means‑tested or non‑means‑tested payment.
Keep reading for the latest DWP news, benefit changes, cost of living updates, interviews and practical information on payments, eligibility rules and support schemes.
Latest DWP news
As reported by The National, here is a selection of the latest DWP stories.
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What benefits can I claim?
Use a benefits calculator or talk to an adviser to accurately understand your benefits entitlements.
What benefits are devolved to Scotland?
Some benefits are devolved to Scotland, but most remain reserved to the UK Government.
Devolved benefits (handled by the Scottish Government through Social Security Scotland) include:
- Adult Disability Payment (ADP) – has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland. The transfer completed in November 2025.
- Child Disability Payment – replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children in Scotland.
- Carer Support Payment – has replaced Carer's Allowance in Scotland. From March 2026, Scottish Carer Supplement will replace Carer's Allowance Supplement.
- Best Start Grant – includes three payments (Pregnancy and Baby, Early Learning, and School Age).
- Best Start Foods – helps with the cost of healthy food during pregnancy and early childhood.
- Scottish Child Payment – regular payment to low-income families with children.
- Funeral Support Payment – contributes towards funeral costs for those on certain benefits.
Reserved benefits (still managed by the DWP) include:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Bereavement benefits
Benefits uprating April 2026
Most benefits will increase from April 6, 2026:
- Social security benefits across the UK will rise by 3.8% in line with inflation.
- The State Pension will increase by 4.8% under the triple lock.
- Universal Credit standard allowances will rise by more than 6% – the largest real-terms increase to out-of-work support since 1980.
Labour's DWP cuts
The new Labour Government has cut several benefits since taking power in 2024. The Winter Fuel Payment, which had been universal, was first on the chopping block. Labour made it means-tested, sparking outcry from charities and campaigners who warned it would cost lives.
DWP Secretary Liz Kendall later outlined sweeping cuts to disability benefits which she claimed would total £5bn. However, independent estimates said it would not save as much, leading Labour to also cut back the health element of Universal Credit.
PIP changes
If you live in Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which has the same payment rates and components.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will increase by 3.8% from April 2026, with weekly rates rising from £29.20–£187.45 to £30.30–£194.32.
However, separate changes to the Universal Credit health element will see new claimants from April 2026 receive a reduced rate of £50 per week (down from over £100), with this rate then frozen until 2029.
Universal Credit changes 2026
From April 2026, major changes to Universal Credit include:
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Standard allowance increases of around 6.2%:
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Single under 25: rising to £338.58 per month
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Single 25+: rising to £424.90 per month
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Couples under 25: rising to £528.34 per month
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Couples 25+: rising to £666.97 per month
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- Two-child limit removed – families with three or more children will now receive child element payments for all children
- Health element cuts – new claimants from April 2026 will receive £50 per week (down from over £100), and this rate will be frozen until 2029. Existing claimants and those with severe conditions or terminal illness will keep higher rates.
Child benefit increase
Child Benefit payments will increase from April 6, 2026:
- £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child (up from £26.05)
- £17.90 per week for each additional child (up from £17.25)
This equals £1,406.60 annually for the first child and £930.80 for each additional child.
Child Benefit is paid every four weeks and there is no limit to the number of children you can claim for.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
People with a disability or health condition that affects how much they can work are eligible to apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced in March 2025 that the government will consult on merging ESA and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) into a new time-limited unemployment insurance.
This would be paid at a higher rate without claimants having to prove they cannot work, but recipients would be expected to actively seek employment.
Contact DWP
All benefit queries can be checked on the official Department for Work and Pensions website .
For Scottish devolved benefits, contact Social Security Scotland .
