Child benefits to increase by 35p per week

CHILD benefit payments are increasing in April but the rise won’t even stretch to the cost of a budget loaf of bread.

The 1.7 per cent increase will see the child benefit payment rise by 35p a week for parents with one child – that’s less than the price of a cheap white loaf in budget retailer Aldi.

It means parents will now get just £21.05 a week for one child and £13.93 a week for subsequent children. The government has announced it is lifting the five-year freeze and the rise is in line with inflation.

Universal Credit will also rise by the same amount, as will a number of legacy benefits. These include: Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit,

Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credit. The increase means someone on £400 a month in benefits will get an extra £6.80.

Child benefit is the payment that all parents earning less than £60k a year can claim.

It usually stops when your child reaches the age of 16, but if they stay in approved education or training you can get it until they turn 20.