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Written question asked by Lord Bird (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. It was answered by Baroness Sherlock (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Poverty: Disability

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how the extra costs incurred by disabled people, including for (1) equipment, (2) care, (3) transport, and (4) housing, are accounted for in poverty metrics and support provision.

Answer

A range of poverty measures are included in the annual Households Below Average Income Statistics including Relative Low Income (After Housing Costs) and Material Deprivation. Relative Low Income involves setting a threshold based on 60% of net household income after deducing taxes and housing costs. It does not take account of any additional costs incurred due to disability. Material Deprivation involves asking families whether they can afford a set of essential items so the impact of any additional costs due to disability could impact on a family’s ability to afford these items so Material Deprivation metric does take account of these costs.

The extra costs disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), provide a contribution towards the extra costs (which includes equipment, care, transport and housing), that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15077
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Poverty Disability
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk