Cost of Living Pressures Persist for UK Families
Pound notes and coins placed on top of household utility bills, symbolising the ongoing cost of living pressures.
As summer holidays end, families might find some respite from recent expenses for many UK households.
But for millions, the rampant cost of living is still a cause of financial stress as domestic incomes lag behind rising prices.
Data from the Resolution Foundation shows essentials remain relatively costly, well above the level of the 2022 crisis. Inflation has returned to pre-pandemic levels, yet low pay and steep bills are still keeping living costs stubbornly high.
Even with Slowing Inflation, Essentials Remain Expensive
A nearly empty grocery basket in a UK supermarket, reflecting the rise in food insecurity
Photo credit:Dreamstime
Although inflation rates have eased, goods and services have not fallen to historical price levels.
Energy arrears rose more than double in five years, reaching £3.9 billion at the close of 2024.
7.3 million adults, or 13.9 per cent of households, were food insecure in January 2025, as reported by the Food Foundation. That’s not yet back to pre-2022 levels, which indicates ongoing pressures on household budgets.
Millions Receiving Benefits Throughout the UK
The official DWP online portal where UK residents can apply for and manage Universal Credit claims.
There are around 24 million people in the UK on some form of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit. This represents one in every three individuals.
However, Policy in Practice estimates that £23 billion of benefit is not taken up each year.
The families might be awaiting one or more of the following payments, such as the Universal Credit, the State Pension, Pension Credit, the Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Others that are available include the Attendance Allowance, Childcare Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, and the Jobseeker Allowance.
Universal Credit Migration Continues
The DWP is set to complete moving individuals from old-style benefits to Universal Credit in January 2026.
Clients receiving tax credits, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, and housing benefit would have already received a migration notice.
The initiative forms the department’s future strategy to merge benefits into a single system. Payments are therefore encouraged to maintain their details up to date to ensure timely processing.
Benefit Payment Arrangement for September
Payment dates will follow normal in September with no bank holiday scheduled on the dates.
It will be paid in accordance with regular arrangements for all types of benefit.
The main benefits paid are Universal Credit, State Pension, Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
State Pension Payment Dates
State Pension credits are credited directly into the accounts of recipients. It is paid four-weekly, with the specific date relating to the last two digits of the National Insurance number.
The same is repeated throughout the year except when influenced by a public holiday.
The flat rate State Pension works in just the same way as other benefits, with regular payment to the entitled individuals. Those who are due to be paid in September may check their payment letter or bank statement.
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Changes to August Bank Holiday Payments
Millions of benefit recipients had different payment dates in August as a result of the bank holiday on Monday, 25 August.
Payments falling due on that date were normally paid in advance, following DWP practice on bank holidays.
The adjustment will affect claimants of a variety of types of benefits. September payments, however, will resume to the regular timetable, with no changes planned.
