Majority Of Benefit Claimants Unaffected By £26k Cap

Over 99% of people in receipt of social security benefits will be unaffected by the proposed £26,000 cap when Universal Credit is introduced, said Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland.

The Welfare Reform Bill, which includes the proposed £26,000 benefit cap, is currently progressing through Westminster. Minister McCausland is currently considering proposals for a similar benefit cap in Northern Ireland which may be included in a Northern Ireland Welfare Reform Bill, which the Minister will seek Executive approval to introduce into the Assembly later this year.

Minister McCausland said: "Early estimates indicate that only a small number of people in Northern Ireland will be affected by this proposed benefits cap of £26,000."

Approximately 340,000 households in Northern Ireland were in receipt of social security benefits in 2010/11. Of these, over 99% of households received less than £26,000 a year.

(GK)