Disability Rights UK (DRUK) has summarised the “key points of the Budget 2018. As a ‘no deal Brexit’ is still a possibility next March’s Spring Statement could be upgraded to a full Budget – this could mean that some of the Budget 2018 proposals ould be amended. We’ve highlighted a few of the key points but please look at Disability Rights UK’s full news item for a more comprehensive overview.
Universal credit
- £1 billion over five years to aid transition/migration – this additional support will be announced in the managed migration regulations, when they are published.
- The amount that households with children, and people with disabilities can earn before their Universal Credit award begins to be withdrawn – the Work Allowance – will be increased by £1,000 from April 2019.
Industrial disablement benefit
Dupuytren’s contracture will be added to the existing list of over 70 prescribed diseases for which Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is payable.
Parental bereavement leave and pay
A new statutory entitlement to two weeks leave for employees who suffer the death of a child under 18, or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Employed parents will also be able to claim pay for this period, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. This entitlement will come into force in April 2020.
Pension credit
The government will delay the transfer of rent support from Housing Benefit to Pension Credit by 3 years, to ensure that this transfer aligns with the full implementation of Universal Credit.
Health
- The government has confirmed earlier announcements of an extra £20.5bn for the NHS over the next five years.
- An extra £2bn a year to be given to mental health services
- A new Mental Health Crisis Service is to be part of the new NHS Plan.
Housing
An additional £55 million in 2018-19 for the Disabled Facilities Grant to provide home aids and adaptations for disabled children and adults on low incomes.
Pensions
The lifetime allowance for pension savings will increase in line with CPI for 2019/20, rising to £1,055,000.
Social care
Prior to the expected publication of the social care green paper, an extra £650m of grant funding will be given to English Authorities for 2019/20
Tax and National Insurance
The personal allowance will go up to £12,500 from April 2019, one year earlier than planned. The threshold will remain at the same level in 2020-21 and then increase by CPI.
The high rate threshold will also increase to £50,000 from April 2019.
Work
The government will increase the National Living Wage by 4.9% from £7.83 to £8.21 from April 2019.
The National Minimum Wage rates to apply from April 2019 will rise from:
£7.38 to £7.70 per hour for 21 to 24 year olds
£5.90 to £6.15 per hour for 18 to 20 year olds
£4.20 to £4.35 per hour for 16 to 17 year olds
£3.70 to £3.90 per hour for apprentices
