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Budget 2008 - benefit rates

  • Published: Wednesday, 12 March 2008

National Minimum Wage

The Chancellor confirmed that the National Minimum Wage for workers aged 22 and over would rise from £5.52 to £5.73 an hour from 1 October 2008. On the same date the rate for 18-21 year olds will rise from £4.60 an hour to £4.77 and the development rate for 16-17 years olds will increase to from £3.40 to £3.53 an hour.

State Pension and Pension Credit

 

Basic and additional State Pension

Basic State Pension up from £87.30 to £90.70

Pension credit

Age 60 and above Guarantee Credit element:

  • single up from £119.05 to £124.05
  • couple up from £181.70 to £189.35


Age 65 and above Savings Credit element:

  • single up from £19.05 to £19.71 a week
  • couple up from £25.26 to £26.13 a week

Benefits and allowances from 6 April

 

Carers Allowance

  • up from £48.65 to £50.55 a week
  • earnings limit £95 a week (since 1 October 2007)


Attendance Allowance

  • higher rate up from £64.50 to £67 a week
  • lower rate up from £43.15 to £44.85 a week

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Care component:

  • highest rate up from £64.50 to £67 a week
  • middle rate up from £43.15 to £44.85 a week
  • lowest rate up from £17.10 to £17.75 a week

Mobility component:

  • higher rate up from £45.00 to £46.75 a week
  • lower rate up from £17.10 to £17.75 a week

Maternity Allowance (MA)

  • standard rate up from £112.75 to £117.18 a week
  • MA threshold remains at £30

Statutory Maternity/Paternity Pay/Adoption Pay

  • earnings threshold up from £87 to £90
  • standard rate up from £112.75 to £

Statutory Sick Pay

  • ernings threshold up from £87 to £90
  • sandard rate up from £72.55 to £75.40

Jobseekers Allowance

Contribution-based JSA personal rates:

  • under 18 - up from £35.65 to £47.95
  • 18 to 24 up from £46.85 to £47.75
  • 25 or over up from £59.15 to £60.50


Income-based JSA personal allowances:

  • under 18 - up from £35.65 to £47.95
  • 18 to 24 up from £46.85 to £47.95
  • 25 or over up from £59.15 to £60.50

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