Reaching the halfway point of the year, many are starting to find cost of living pressures more intense as financial uncertainty hanging over millions of households.
While bill increases of April may have settled, new expenses have begun to arise as conflict in the Middle East hits Britain’s economy.
The US-Iran war has severely disrupted the global oil trade, bringing knock-on effects to the price of essentials such as energy and food.
The situation remains uncertain as it runs on, sparking fears that the impact on households could persist throughout 2026, and possibly beyond.
Inflation dropped to 2.8 per cent in the year to April, down from 3.3 per cent in March. But experts warn that the welcome downturn will likely be short-lived, with some anticipating a spike to 4 per cent by the end of the year.
Around two-thirds (63 per cent) of Britons say they have had to cut back on the essentials to handle the rising prices, recent analysis by the Cost of Living Action group found.
Meanwhile, 55 per cent of households living in poverty now contain at least one working person, according to the Resolution Foundation think tank, which revealed the scale of the issue .
The state pension rose by 4.8 per cent in April in line with annual earnings growth (PA)
Against this difficult economic backdrop, households should claim all the support they are entitled to. There are now around 24 million people in the country claiming some combination of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administered benefits, which include those drawing a state pension, representing around one in three people.
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Yet research by Policy in Practice shows that £24bn worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year – you can use its helpful calculator to work out what you might be entitled to.
Are you struggling with the DWP or the cost of living? Share your story: albert.toth@independent.co.uk
Here is an overview of the financial support available to households this May and key dates for benefit and state pension recipients to look out for:
Benefit payment dates in June
Benefit payments will go out as usual in June, as there are no bank holidays to be aware of. This includes:
Universal credit
State pension
Pension credit
Child benefit
Disability living allowance (DLA)
Personal independence payment (PIP)
Attendance allowance
Carer’s allowance
For more information on how and when state benefits are paid, visit the government’s website.
The DWP has now mostly completed the migration of all ‘legacy benefits’ to universal credit. However, in an update at the end of March , it said employment and support allowance and housing benefit would not be closed off until “the end of the summer” to allow vulnerable claimants more time to make the move.
Are you having issues with universal credit, PIP, or any other benefit? Get in touch via email: albert.toth@independent.co.uk
Pension payment dates in May
The basic state pension is paid straight into bank accounts, similar to how benefits are paid. It is usually paid every four weeks, with the exact day you receive it corresponding to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number.
Here’s when you should be paid based on those numbers:
00 to 19: Monday
20 to 39: Tuesday
40 to 59: Wednesday
60 to 79: Thursday
80 to 99: Friday
When will benefit rates go up?
In April 2026, all universal credit claimants received an above-inflation income boost of around 6.2 per cent to the standard allowance. For a single person over 25, this is a £6 per week increase, rising from £92 to £98.
For couples with one or both partners over 25, it was an increase of £9 per week, rising from £145 to £154.
Most other benefits were uprated by September’s inflation rate alone, increasing by 3.8 per cent. This included PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, ESA and more.
However, at the same time, the weekly payment rate for the health-related element of universal credit for new claimants was cut from £105 to £50. The rate for existing claimants will also be frozen until 2029.
This is a reduction of more than £200 a month, cutting the additional rate by around half.
The state pension rose by 4.8 per cent from April in line with annual earnings growth. This will bring the weekly amount to £241.05.
Other help available
Crisis and Resilience Fund
From April, councils have been able to administer Labour’s new ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’, designed to support low-income households at times when affording the essentials becomes a struggle.
It will replace both the household support fund and discretionary housing payments.
Crisis payment
The first part of the new scheme is a ‘crisis payment’ to support low-income households that have experienced a financial shock, or are at risk of…
Read the full article at The Independent →📄Source document: Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)→8 reports
iNewsIndependentLeft6 days agoPensioners argue that the triple lock mechanism, which ensures annual increases to the state pension based on inflation, earnings growth, or 2.5%, is essential for their financial survival amid rising living costs. Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham supports maintaining the triple lock, while some backbenchers suggest it is unaffordable. Maria Fuccio, a 69-year-old pensioner from Hampshire, shares her experience of relying on food banks due to insufficient income despite working for over 30 years.
Bias read (Left): The article emphasizes the struggles of pensioners and highlights calls to retain the triple lock, a policy associated with protecting vulnerable groups. It quotes individuals like Maria Fuccio, who describe hardship and reliance on food banks, framing the issue as a matter of social justice and the
The IndependentIndependentCenter6 days agoMillions of pensioners were overcharged by HMRC for nearly a year due to an error in calculating the annual rise in state pensions under the triple lock policy. Up to 8.7 million pensioners were charged approximately £5 extra on their tax bills, resulting in an estimated £43.5 million collected incorrectly last year. HMRC acknowledged the issue and stated it has been working to resolve it, aiming to implement a fix by late summer. The error occurred because HMRC did not adjust for the increased state pension amount, leading to incorrect tax calculations.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on an administrative error by HMRC, includes direct quotes from HMRC, and provides context about the triple lock policy. There is no clear ideological framing or emphasis on one side over the其他
Official sources cited
- government HMRC Spokesperson Statement
- press release The Sunday Times Report
iNewsIndependentCenter7 days ago Andy Burnham: I’ll keep the triple lock, and give pensioners a tax cutAndy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has stated his intention to uphold the triple lock on the state pension, emphasizing Labour's commitment to this promise despite calls from within the party to abandon it. He also mentioned the need for the next government to address 'fiscal drag,' where older individuals are increasingly subjected to income tax due to frozen tax thresholds. Burnham did not clarify if the triple lock would continue beyond the current Parliament but affirmed that the policy remains non-negotiable.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Andy Burnham's stance on maintaining the triple lock without overtly favoring one side. It includes direct quotes from Burnham and mentions opposing views within the Labour Party, providing a balanced perspective on the issue.
iNewsIndependentCenter9 days ago Kill the state pension triple lock, Burnham toldLabour MPs are urging Andy Burnham to abandon his manifesto commitment to maintain the state pension triple lock, arguing it drains resources needed for defense and youth-focused policies. The triple lock guarantees annual increases in the state pension based on inflation, wages, or 2.5%, costing approximately £146 billion annually—equivalent to 5% of GDP. This has sparked internal discussions within Labour, especially following recent resignations in the Ministry of Defence.
Bias read (Center): The article presents arguments from both sides without overtly favoring one perspective. It reports on Labour MPs' calls to abandon the triple lock while also explaining the financial implications and context provided by the OBR. There is no clear editorializing or biased language that leans toward左
The IndependentIndependentRight11 days ago Labour urged to ‘call time’ on the triple lock to cut welfare spendingResearch from the Resolution Foundation suggests ending the triple lock on the UK state pension could reduce welfare spending by £13.8bn by 2029/30. The triple lock guarantees annual increases based on inflation, average earnings, or 2.5%, while a proposed 'smoothed' earnings link would tie increases to earnings growth or inflation but avoid automatic yearly hikes. This change could save £650m annually, potentially funding Labour's youth employment initiatives.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the triple lock as a costly policy that could be reformed to redirect funds toward youth employment, suggesting a shift away from current commitments. It emphasizes potential savings and aligns with fiscal conservatism, without presenting counterarguments or balancing perspectives
Official sources cited
- study Resolution Foundation Report
- study Alan Milburn Report
Daily MailIndependentRight11 days agoThe Resolution Foundation, a think tank associated with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has recommended ending the triple lock on state pensions, which guarantees annual increases based on the highest of average earnings growth, inflation, or 2.5%. The foundation argues this policy is 'expensive and wasteful,' costing £650 million annually and risking long-term economic harm. It suggests replacing the triple lock with a 'smooth earnings link' starting next year.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the Resolution Foundation's recommendation to end the triple lock as a positive move, using terms like 'expensive and wasteful' and emphasizing concerns over financial sustainability. The mention of the think tank being 'often described as Chancellor Rachel Reeves' favorite' adds潛
iNewsIndependentRight12 days ago The radical new plan to scrap the state pension triple lockA think tank, the Resolution Foundation, has called for the UK to phase out the state pension triple lock, describing it as 'wasteful and expensive.' The policy guarantees annual increases in the state pension based on inflation, wages, or 2.5 percent—whichever is highest. The think tank argues the policy costs three times more than intended and fails to effectively reduce poverty. The report follows reports that some Labour MPs are considering reforms to the triple lock for reasons of generational fairness and economic sustainability. A new Pensions Commission, led by former Resolution Fundat
Bias read (Right): The article frames the triple lock as 'wasteful' and 'expensive,' using negative descriptors that imply criticism of current spending. It emphasizes cost concerns and presents the think tank's argument without significant counterbalance, suggesting a focus on fiscal conservatism.
Official sources cited
- organisation Resolution Foundation Report
- government Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)
The IndependentIndependentCenter12 days ago June 2026 payment dates for universal credit, benefits and pensions plus cost of living supportThe article discusses the increasing cost-of-living pressures facing British households in mid-2026, citing factors such as the ongoing US-Iran conflict affecting global oil trade and inflation rates. It references data showing a drop in inflation to 2.8% but warns of potential future spikes. Statistics from the Cost of Living Action group and the Resolution Foundation highlight the growing financial strain on households, including those in poverty who include working individuals. The article also mentions the rise in the state pension in line with earnings growth.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information and statistics without overtly favoring any political perspective. It reports on economic conditions, inflation trends, and social impacts without using loaded language or selectively emphasizing one side. The content appears balanced and objective in its ret
Official sources cited
- organisation Cost of Living Action group
- organisation Resolution Foundation think tank
United Kingdom