Last month (on 15 April), the benefits cap came into force in four London boroughs (Croydon, Bromley, Haringey and Enfield) with a view to it being rolled out in England, Wales and Scotland from July, with Northern Ireland likely to follow suit.
What is the 'benefits cap'?
The cap is a limit on the amount of money families may receive in benefits from the state.
For couples and lone parents, the cap will be set at £500 per week, regardless of how many children they have, and for single people the cap is £350.
The benefit cap will save the Government money - about £110m in the first year - but the Government's policy is primarily motivated by the view that out-of-work families should not receive more money from benefits than families who work. The stated aim of the benefit cap is to motivate people to find work.
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