Written questions

Social Security Benefits

Commons · Question 5926 · Tabled 2 Jun 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record

Answered 15 Jun 2026

Question

Asked by Jim Shannon

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of households affected by the benefit cap.

Answer

Answered by Sir Stephen Timms, 15 Jun 2026

One of the core principles of the benefit cap is to encourage work, with an exemption to the cap in place for households who are working and earning at least £881 each month. Households may also be exempt for a period of nine months if they have had earni...