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<p><strong> </strong></p><p>National Statistics on the number and percentage of people in poverty are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. The latest statistics published in March 2023 are for the financial period 2021/22.</p><p> </p><p>This Government has overseen significant falls in absolute poverty since 2009/10. There were 1.7 million fewer people in absolute low income (60% of median income) after housing costs in 2021/22 compared to 2009/10, a 4 percentage-point decrease. This includes 400,000 children, 1 million working age individuals and 200,000 pensioners.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to a sustainable, long-term approach to tackling poverty and supporting people on lower incomes. In 2023/24 we will spend around £276 billion through the welfare system in Great Britain including £114 billion on people of working age and children.</p><p> </p><p>The Government understands the pressures people are facing, which is why we are providing total support of over £94bn over 2022-23 and 2023-24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of living.</p><p> </p><p>For the 2023/24 financial year this includes additional Cost of Living Payments for more than 8 million households on means-tested benefits, 6 million people on disability benefits, and 8 million pensioner households across the UK. The government is maintaining the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 until the end of June. This will ensure that households across the UK are supported through the spring while retail energy costs are expected to remain high.</p><p> </p><p>For people who require additional support, whether they receive benefits or not, the Household Support Fund will continue until March 2024. This year long extension allows Local Authorities in England to continue to provide discretionary support to those most in need with the significantly rising cost of living. The Devolved Administrations will receive consequential funding as usual to spend at their discretion.</p> |