Under consideration PE2222: Neutralise the Impact of Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) Cuts in Scotland
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to use its powers under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 to introduce an automatic Scottish top-up payment that fully mitigates the UK Government’s reduction of the Universal Credit LCWRA element for new claimants in Scotland from 6 April 2026.
Background information
From 6 April 2026, the UK Government’s published LCWRA rates are £429.80 per month for protected claimants and £217.26 per month for most new claimants, a difference of £212.54 per month or £2,550.48 per year.
This creates a two-tier system in which disabled people who are newly assessed after 6 April 2026 receive substantially less support than those already protected. That reduction increases the risk of poverty, worsening health, housing insecurity, and social exclusion.
The Scottish Parliament already has powers to create new benefits in devolved areas and to top up reserved benefits, and Scotland already fully funds mitigation of the bedroom tax through Discretionary Housing Payments, with a published budget of £90.5 million in 2024/25.
This petition calls for an automatic, non-means-tested Scottish top-up payment that covers 100% of the £212.54 monthly gap for all new LCWRA awards in Scotland from 6 April 2026, without application or reassessment.
6 signatures
This petition is now under consideration
Click here for further information about the consideration of this petition.