Tories pledge to tighten household benefit cap rules

The Conservatives would reform the household benefit cap so that all adults who can work must do so to qualify for an exemption, and benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would no longer be automatic exemptions. If a household member has an exempting benefit, the cap would no longer be automatically lifted; instead, the exempting benefit would be paid as a separate top-up. Where a couple can both work, each adult would need to work at least 16 hours a week to be exempt; if only one person can work, they would need to work 16 hours as now. The plan would deliver at least £1 billion in annual savings and form part of broader welfare savings, including £23 billion from other measures. The proposal also includes reinstating the two-child benefit cap. It is stated that 111,000 households are currently capped, while over 2.3 million households receive benefits above the cap due to exemptions. Cap levels vary by location (Greater London vs outside) and household type (single vs couple, with or without children). The cap for a couple outside London is cited as £1,835 per month.

The household benefit cap was introduced under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition to limit the total amount of benefits for most working-age people, with exemptions for some benefits and for households earning above thresholds in universal credit.