Social Security Benefits: Cost of Living
Commons · Question 117568 · Tabled 3 Mar 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Question
Asked by Margaret Mullane
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an independent process to set benefit levels in line with essential costs.
Answer
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms, 11 Mar 2026
The Social Security Administration Act 1992 requires the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to review benefit and State Pension rates each year to see if they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices or earnings. Where th...