To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate the Department has made of the additional annual cost to employers arising from the removal of the Statutory Sick Pay waiting period and Lower Earnings Limit, broken down by (a) business size and (b) industrial sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate the Department has made of the additional annual cost to employers arising from the removal of the Statutory Sick Pay waiting period and Lower Earnings Limit, broken down by (a) business size and (b) industrial sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many earnings-related Carer's Allowance overpayments were referred to Debt Management between January 2025 and March 2026.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many earnings-related Carer's Allowance overpayments were referred to Debt Management between January 2025 and March 2026.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2025 to Question 30627, if he will provide updated figures on the number of carers with Carer's Allowance overpayment debts as a result of breaching the earnings limit in (a) England, (b) Wales,...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2025 to Question 30627, if he will provide updated figures on the number of carers with Carer's Allowance overpayment debts as a result of breaching the earnings limit in (a) England, (b) Wales,...

This Commons Library briefing sets out the rules governing statutory sick pay (SSP) and how the scheme operates.

This Commons Library briefing sets out the rules governing statutory sick pay (SSP) and how the scheme operates.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

These regulations are made each year to uprate child benefit and the guardian’s allowance and set the national insurance contribution rates, limits and thresholds.

First, the Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026 sets the rates for both child benefit and the guardian’s allowance, and will ensure that these benefits...

These regulations are made each year to uprate child benefit and the guardian’s allowance and set the national insurance contribution rates, limits and thresholds.

First, the Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026 sets the rates for both child benefit and the guardian’s allowance, and will ensure that these benefits...

My Lords, the Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026 sets the weekly rates from 6 April 2026. As the Committee will know, this instrument increases the weekly rates of child benefit and guardian’s allowance by 3.8%, in line with the rise in the consumer prices index between September...

My Lords, the Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026 sets the weekly rates from 6 April 2026. As the Committee will know, this instrument increases the weekly rates of child benefit and guardian’s allowance by 3.8%, in line with the rise in the consumer prices index between September...

I thank the noble Lord for his speech and for the points that he has raised on this order. A lot of his points are outside of the scope of these SIs, but I will address them.

First, on inflation, it is in fact on the way down. These upratings have...

I thank the noble Lord for his speech and for the points that he has raised on this order. A lot of his points are outside of the scope of these SIs, but I will address them.

First, on inflation, it is in fact on the way down. These upratings have...

Motion that the draft Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 12 January, be approved. Agreed to on question.

Motion that the draft Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 12 January, be approved. Agreed to on question.

I beg to move,

That the draft Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 12 January, be approved.

I beg to move,

That the draft Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 12 January, be approved.

The draft Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order sets the rates for both child benefit and guardian’s allowance, and will ensure that those benefits, for which Treasury Ministers are responsible and which are delivered by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, are uprated by inflation in April 2026. The draft...

The draft Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order sets the rates for both child benefit and guardian’s allowance, and will ensure that those benefits, for which Treasury Ministers are responsible and which are delivered by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, are uprated by inflation in April 2026. The draft...

I welcome what the Minister is saying, which is positive. This is a good step for guardians, carers and veterans. Sometimes people come to me and ask me questions. They say that they cannot get any help with the changes that have come in and how they are affected. When...

I welcome what the Minister is saying, which is positive. This is a good step for guardians, carers and veterans. Sometimes people come to me and ask me questions. They say that they cannot get any help with the changes that have come in and how they are affected. When...

The hon. Member is right: a range of reliefs in the national insurance system help particular groups, including young people and those who have served in our military. It is right that those reliefs are there, and I am glad that the Government took the decision to extend them by...

The hon. Member is right: a range of reliefs in the national insurance system help particular groups, including young people and those who have served in our military. It is right that those reliefs are there, and I am glad that the Government took the decision to extend them by...

It is a great pleasure to debate these two statutory instruments with the Exchequer Secretary. As he stated, they are made each year, and the precedent is for them to be debated on the Floor of the House. I am glad to see that that practice continues, and I hope...

It is a great pleasure to debate these two statutory instruments with the Exchequer Secretary. As he stated, they are made each year, and the precedent is for them to be debated on the Floor of the House. I am glad to see that that practice continues, and I hope...

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

The Minister is nodding, and I am sure he agrees with us on this point. Therefore, we welcome the fact that the Government have committed to extending this relief for the next two years.

However, I point out that the Government said in the Budget document:

“The government will extend the employer...

The Minister is nodding, and I am sure he agrees with us on this point. Therefore, we welcome the fact that the Government have committed to extending this relief for the next two years.

However, I point out that the Government said in the Budget document:

“The government will extend the employer...

I welcome the proposals on child benefit and guardian’s allowance. When I visit schools in Torbay, it is disturbing to hear how many children are only too alive to the cost of living crisis. They are worried about mum or dad not having enough money to put petrol in the...

I welcome the proposals on child benefit and guardian’s allowance. When I visit schools in Torbay, it is disturbing to hear how many children are only too alive to the cost of living crisis. They are worried about mum or dad not having enough money to put petrol in the...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an estimate of the potential revenue raised by removing the 2 percent NI on earnings over the threshold and charging a flat rate of 8 percent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an estimate of the potential revenue raised by removing the 2 percent NI on earnings over the threshold and charging a flat rate of 8 percent.