A new public petition is calling on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a significant change to the welfare system by replacing cash payments with a restricted prepaid card.
Petition Demands "Essentials Only" Spending
The petition, hosted on the official Parliament website, urges the Labour government to introduce a benefits payment card that can be used for essentials only. The creator argues this measure would ensure welfare money is spent on necessary items like food, clothing, and school supplies.
It explicitly states a concern that taxpayer funds could be supporting non-essential purchases for those who rely on state support. The petition was created by Dewald Meiring and has a deadline of 8 July 2026 to gather signatures.
Pathway to Parliamentary Debate
The petition requires 10,000 signatures to trigger an official government response. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the proposal will be considered for debate in Parliament, giving the controversial idea a potential route into mainstream political discussion.
Current Support Systems and Local Flexibility
Currently, the DWP administers the Household Support Fund, which provides funding to local councils to assist vulnerable households. This support can help with essentials like energy bills, water costs, and food.
Councils have significant discretion in how they distribute this aid. Some offer supermarket cards or prepaid vouchers specifically for energy bills, while others provide food vouchers during school holidays or channel funds through local charities.
The DWP clarifies that help from the Household Support Fund is available to vulnerable individuals struggling to afford essentials, regardless of whether they receive other benefits. Receiving such a payment does not affect existing benefit entitlements.
Eligibility and application processes vary widely between local authorities, with some councils limiting households to one application per year.
