A special post-Budget edition of the The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on Thursday provided viewers with a bit more information on changes to benefits announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget on October 30. The consumer champion explained which benefits will be rising and by how much, changes to Universal Credit deductions and an increase to the weekly Carer’s Allowance earnings limit.
Martin Lewis took a minute to thank unpaid carers across the UK for the “amazing work” they do as he explained how the weekly earnings limit will rise from £151 per week to £196, equivalent to 16 hours at the national minimum wage. He also revealed that weekly Carer’s Allowance payments will go up from £81.90 to ££83.29.
The financial guru shared good news for Universal Credit claimants receiving less money each month due to debt deductions. From April, the maximum amount of deductions that can be taken will drop from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.
He said: “It’s quite an important change and I’m pleased that the Government has put this in. Universal Credit – many people get deductions due to debt from rent and other costs taken straight out of their Universal Credit. It really hits the ability they have to afford the cost of living.
“The amount that can be taken will be reduced from 25 per cent to 15 per cent, which is an average of £420 per year.”
Benefit payments 2025/26
Martin explained that working age benefits will rise by 1.7 per cent while the New and Basic State Pension will increase by 4.1 per cent from April 7.
This includes:
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Tax Credits
- Statutory Maternity/Paternity/Adoption/Shared Parental Pay
- Statutory Sick Pay
- Maternity Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
State Pension payments 2025/26
The New and Basic State Pension will rise by 4.1 per cent, however, it’s important to be aware that additional State Pension elements will increase by the September inflation rate of 1.7 per cent.
Full New State Pension
- Weekly payment: £230.25 (from £221..20)
- Four-weekly payment: £921 (from £884.80)
- Annual amount: £11,973 (from £11,502)
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50)
- Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678)
- Annual amount: £9,175 (from £8,814)
Disability benefits
Disability benefits, including Carer’s Allowance will rise by the September CPI figure of 1.7 per cent in April. Devolved disability benefits such as Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment and Carer Support Payment are expected to rise in-line with Westminster to avoid a two-tier benefits system in Great Britain.
Weekly component rates for 2025/26
An uprating of 1.7 per cent will see people on disability benefits receive between £29.20 and £187.45 each week, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period.
It’s important to be aware the highest figure of £749.80 is based on someone receiving the highest award for both the daily living and mobility components.
Attendance Allowance does not include a mobility component.
PIP, Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment and DLA
Estimated weekly rates are shown for all benefits, most are paid every four weeks so to calculate your own uplift simply look for your award rate and multiply by four.
Daily living
- Lower care award (CDP, DLA only): £29.20 (from £28.70)
- Standard: £73.90 (from £72.65)
- Enhanced: £110.40 (from £108.55)
Mobility
- Standard: £29.20 (from £28.70)
- Enhanced: £77.05 (from £75.75)
Attendance Allowance
- Lower rate: £73.90 (from £72.65)
- Higher rate: £110.40 (from £108.55)
Carer’s Allowance
- Weekly payment rate: £83.30 (from £81.90)
- Four-week pay period: £333.20 £from £327.60)
Universal Credit
- Single, aged 25 and over: £400.14 (from £393.45)
- Couples, aged 25 and over: £1,213.72 (from £1,193.44)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will publish a full list of the benefit payments for 2025/26 within the next few weeks.