The Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (Rates of Allowances) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (‘the Regulations’) - screening
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Date published:
The rates of social security benefits in Northern Ireland (NI) are generally maintained in parity with Great Britain (GB). The Regulations set the rates for a number of specific benefits as required by the Universal Credit Act 2025 (‘the Act’).
The Act requires the Department to increase the amount of the Universal Credit (UC) standard allowance and the income related employment and support allowance (ESA IR) personal allowance rates by the annual increases in CPI (3.8% at September 2025) and then by a further 2.3%.
Existing/Revised/New: Existing
Date of Screening: 16/02/2026
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No