Cost of Living Payments Evaluation

Summary

The UK faced a sharp increase in the cost of living between 2021 and 2022, prompting the government to introduce Cost of Living Payments (CoLPs) to support vulnerable households. These lump-sum payments, provided in various forms to recipients of means-tested benefits, disability benefits, and pensioners, ran from 2022 until early 2024. An evaluation report published in January 2025 found that the payments were largely effective, with most recipients spending the funds on essential expenses like energy bills and food, and reporting improvements in their ability to cope with rising costs and a reduction in debt.

Key Facts

Source Document

https://example-government.gov/policy-document-link