The Scottish Government has announced that it will increase benefits next April in-line with inflation. (Image: Getty)

Annual uprating confirmed for people on Adult Disability Payment and other devolved benefits

The Scottish Government will increase benefits next April in-line with inflation.

by · Daily Record

The Scottish Government has confirmed that devolved benefits and payments will increase next April in-line with inflation. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville made the announcement to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee on Thursday in order to “provide certainty to families”.

This will see benefits such as Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment, Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods, increase by the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate. This is due to be published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on October 18 - the current rate of CPI is 2.2 per cent.

Benefits increased by 6.7 per cent in April this year, but now look set for a much smaller uplift for the 2025/26 financial year. However, even an uprating of 2.2 per cent would give those on ADP or Child Disability Payment up to £753 each month.

An increase of that amount would see 314,495 people on ADP receive between £29.35 and £188.35 each week and as the payment is usually paid every four weeks this amounts to between £117.40 and £753.40 per pay period.

The estimated calculation using the latest CPI figure of 2.2 per cent from August - which had remained unchanged from July - could go up or down. It’s also important to be aware that nearly 126,300 existing PIP claimants in Scotland are still receiving payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

PIP and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will also rise by the September CPI. Existing PIP and DLA claimants north of the border will transfer to the devolved benefits system by the end of 2025.

Top Money Stories Today

Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, PIP and DLA rates 2025/26

Estimated weekly rates are shown for all benefits, most are paid every four weeks so to calculate your own uplift simply look for your award rate and multiply by four.

Daily living component

  • Lower care award (CDP, DLA only): £29.35 (from £28.70)
  • Standard: £74.25 (from £72.65)
  • Enhanced: £110.95 (from £108.55)

Mobility component

  • Standard: £29.35 (from £28.70)
  • Enhanced: £77.40 (from £75.75)

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Ending child poverty is our single greatest priority. We’ve already consistently up-rated all benefits in line with inflation, and our intention is to provide certainty to families and put more money in their pockets by making it a legal requirement to annually up-rate all devolved benefits - including Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods.

“Our action will also deliver more money to households in receipt of our winter heating payments - a commitment that will deliver crucial financial support following the UK Government’s recent decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments. All of our action is an estimated investment of £6 million for 2025-26, rising to £12 million in 2029-30.”

Latest Benefits News

She added that measures delivered by the Scottish Government are making a difference.

Ms Somerville explained: “Modelling in February estimated that Scottish Government policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year alone.

“Since 2022-23, we have allocated around £3 billion per year to policies which help tackle poverty and mitigate the impacts of the cost of living crisis on households. We will continue to do all we can to break generational cycles of poverty and give all children a decent start in life.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce the State Pension and DWP uprating during the Autumn Budget on October 30. The Scottish Government is expected to confirm the devolved payment uprating soon after.

Get the latest Record Money news

Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.

Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday - sign up here.

You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day or et money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.