The figures published yesterday reveal how many households had their benefits capped between April 2013 and May 2024.

According to the department as of May this year, 118,000 households were capped on Universal Credit (UC), while 4,900 households were capped on Housing Benefit (HB).

This means that volumes of UC-capped households have risen by 65% (47,000) since the previous quarter (February 2024). At the same time, however, volumes of HB-capped households have fallen by 3% (140) since the previous quarter.

The majority (87%) of households being hit by the benefit cap include children (110,000 households). Households most impacted by the cap remain concentrated in London and the south where the cost of renting is highest.

​The previous government increased the majority of benefits by 6.7% in April of this year including Universal Credit. Alongside this, Local Housing Allowance levels were increased so that they cover the cheapest 30% of rents in a local area. While this additional support reduced some of the financial pressure on struggling families, the impact of the benefit cap will have stopped many people from receiving this extra help.

Housing charity Crisis is calling on the UK government to scrap the benefit cap to help prevent homelessness and provide opportunities for families and individuals to move into a home of their own.

Matt Downie, Crisis chief executive, said: “With homelessness already at record levels, it’s deeply concerning to see such a staggering rise in the number of households having their benefits capped. Behind these figures are struggling parents who will be spending anxious nights worrying about how they will put food on the table or keep a roof over their children’s heads.

“Through our services we see the hardship brought on by rising living costs and unaffordable rents which is pushing more and more people to the brink. While the amount low-income households receive to help pay their rent rose earlier this year, we know for thousands this vital support will have been completely wiped out by the impact of the cap. We cannot build a stable nation if we’re giving with one hand and taking with another.

“By scrapping the benefit cap, the new government can not only prevent homelessness for thousands, but it can mark a turning point in its mission to break down barriers to opportunity. We know the solutions needed to end homelessness for good, but the government must be brave and bold enough to enact them.”