House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Households Below Average Income Statistics Release
26 March 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions
Proposed by Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The Department for Work and Pensions publishes annual statistics on household incomes and living standards for 2024/25
- Methodological changes are announced to enhance the accuracy of income data and update the baseline year for absolute poverty measures
- Funding is allocated for employment support reforms and pension increases, alongside actions to address child poverty, lifting 550,000 children out of relative low-income status
Issue summary
The statement discusses the publication of annual statistics on household incomes and living standards for 2024/25 by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Action requested
The minister announces methodological changes to improve the accuracy of income data, updates the baseline year for absolute poverty measures, and highlights actions taken to address child poverty, including lifting 550,000 children out of relative low-income status. Additionally, funding is allocated towards employment support reforms and pension increases.
Key facts
- HBAI statistics covering 2024/25 have been published by the DWP.
- Methodological changes link survey responses to benefits administrative data for improved accuracy.
- The baseline year for absolute poverty has been updated from 2010/11 to 2024/25.
- Relative poverty rate after housing costs was 20% in 2024/25, unchanged from the previous year.
- Food insecurity rates have decreased for children and working-age adults but remained stable for pensioners.
- The government's Child Poverty Strategy aims to lift 550,000 children out of relative low income by 2029/30.
- Pension increases of 4.8% will benefit over 12 million pensioners starting in April.
- Funding of £3.8 billion is allocated for employment support reforms by 2028/29.