Rachel Reeves is being urged to change welfare rules so families on Universal Credit receive the same income boost as pensioners.
It comes as an analysis from charity Save the Children shows a couple are in line for a hike of £77.40 a month in their state pension from April 2025. But it also shows a couple with two children on Universal Credit may only see their benefits go up by just £23.39.
This is due to benefits traditionally rising in line with September’s rate of inflation, which stood at 1.7% this year. Pensioners meanwhile are protected by the triple lock.
This measure ensures their state pensions go up each year by the highest of either inflation, 2.5% or average earnings. This year the Chancellor will confirm a 4.1% hike – matching average wage growth.
Meghan Meek O’Connor, policy lead at Save the Children UK, said: “This system cannot continue where pensioners receive money from the state that rises each year at a higher rate than that going to families.”
She added: “Children need the same level of security as those in their older age, and measures should be put in place by the Treasury to close the gap immediately.
“Considering the pensions triple lock has successfully lifted so many pensioners out of poverty, we want to mirror this positive policy for families where possible.”
The charity is now calling for a “child lock” policy at the Budget to ensure benefits specifically target at children mirror the increase for pensioners. It has also called for the controversial two-child limit on benefits – a policy blamed for trapping kids in poverty – to be scrapped by the Chancellor.