Dept for Work & Pensions: Latest News Update – 2 Oct

 

State Pension Triple Lock announcement

This week the Prime Minister made an announcement on an adjustment to the State Pension Triple Lock.

The current Triple Lock will be maintained until the end of this parliament. The changes are proposed from 2030/31, with the adjusted Triple Lock meaning the State Pension will always increase by at least the highest of 2.5%, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation or a new earnings link – so that the State Pension will never fall below its level as a share of average earnings when we adjust the Triple Lock.

Pension Credit Week of Action – 12-16 October 2026

This October, we're running Pension Credit Week of Action to challenge some of the common misconceptions that stop people claiming Pension Credit. Many people mistakenly believe that owning a home, having savings or receiving a private pension automatically makes them ineligible. It doesn’t.

As a result, many people of State Pension age who could be entitled to Pension Credit never make a claim.

Here are some of the myths we're tackling this year:

• Own your home? You may still be eligible for Pension Credit. Home ownership is not taken into account when entitlement is calculated.
• Have savings? You could still qualify if you have savings. The first £10,000 of savings is ignored. For every £500 of savings above £10,000, DWP assumes you have an extra £1 a week in income when calculating your Pension Credit entitlement.
• Receive State Pension? Pension Credit is paid in addition to your State Pension and could provide extra financial support.

Think it happens automatically? Pension Credit is not paid automatically. People need to check their eligibility on GOV.UK and make a claim.

To find out more about Pension Credit and how to apply, visit:

gov.uk/pension-credit/what-youll-get
gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

Civil Legal Advice service

Legal Aid Agency’s Civil Legal Advice (CLA) is a free confidential service offering specialist legal advice to people in England and Wales who qualify for legal aid. The CLA helps with issues including debt, special educational needs, discrimination, and housing. Clients eligible for legal aid, in all categories covered, will be connected to a specialist adviser; this will be done immediately in the vast majority of cases.

Full details on how to access CLA, including phone, online, and postal options, along with information on eligibility and the accessible support available, such as interpretation, British Sign Language, and Text Relay can be found on GOV.UK.

Young disabled people to be offered guaranteed jobs

Thousands of young disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are set to be offered a fast-tracked job under the government's Jobs Guarantee.

Under the scheme, eligible young people on health benefits will be offered a guaranteed job on a voluntary basis from week 13 after their Work Capability Assessment.

They will receive mentoring and tailored support with their mental health, finances and housing to prepare them for work, while employers will be supported with onboarding costs.

The government will also cover 100% of wage costs up to 25 hours a week for six months.

The move marks a significant expansion of the Jobs Guarantee, a government scheme launched earlier this year for long-term unemployed young people aged 18 to 24 who have been claiming Universal Credit for 18 months. The expansion to young people on health benefits will start from April 2027.

Read the press release

Pathways to Work Innovation Fund: applicant bid pack

The Pathways to Work Innovation Fund will invest up to £60 million over 2 years in grant funding to test new ideas that support disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to move towards, enter, stay and progress in work. We are looking for new ideas and approaches, including new uses of technology. The Fund is open to applications for grant funding from organisations across the UK, including:

• public sector organisations
• businesses
• voluntary and community organisations
• partnerships and consortia

We are interested in ideas that can improve employment outcomes and generate valuable learning.

Find out more about the Pathways to Work Innovation Fund, how to apply for grant funding, and whether it is right for your organisation.

Read the press release