Working age adults in receipt of care and support in Knowsley will soon find they have more money in their pockets, thanks to an above-inflation rise in the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG).
The MIG is the amount of money a person must have left over each week after they have paid towards the cost of their local authority-arranged social care at home. It ensures that the person still has enough money left over to cover their everyday living costs like food, bills and other essentials.
The MIG is set nationally by the Department of Health and Social Care and was not increased at all between 2015 and 2022. In the last three years, it has risen, but only at the same rate as inflation. This has meant that as the cost of everyday items went up, many people were left struggling because their money didn’t go as far as it used to.
This year, however, it has been confirmed that the MIG will see an additional above inflation rise of 7% for working age adults. This means around 840 Knowsley residents (under the age of 66) contributing to their own care at home will benefit from an increase in the amount of money they have to spend.
Cllr Del Arnall, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “We all know – only too well – that the cost of living continues to rise year on year. Sadly, here in Knowsley we know that many people and families really struggle to make ends meet.
“For our residents who receive care and support at home, this burden can be significant. We know from speaking to many residents that they have always had concerns that the MIG was simply not enough. Therefore, it is really encouraging to see this over inflation increase which will help to address the long-term financial pressure on vulnerable adults.
“The real impact of this is that hundreds of people in Knowsley will now feel they have a little more breathing space when it comes to affording food and paying their heating bills – which is something to be really welcomed.”
The increase to the MIG is reflected in the Knowsley Council’s Charging Policy 2026/27 which was agreed this week.
Knowsley Council remains committed to supporting residents with the cost of living. Its Emergency Support Scheme offers help to residents struggling to afford food, fuel and other essentials. Using funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund and the council’s own Knowsley Better Together Hardship Fund, it has funded numerous local initiatives including free school meals for children during school holidays, food parcels for carers and an emergency food pantry. And recently, the council revised its Council Tax Reduction scheme to make it simpler, fairer and more generous.