Rishi Sunak says technical problems stopped him raising benefits more

Chancellor blames DWP computers that allow uplift only once a year, in claims labelled pathetic' by Jonathan Ashworth

Rishi Sunak has claimed he was prevented from raising benefits more at the spring statement because of the old computer system used by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Acknowledging that technical problems sounds like an excuse", the UK chancellor told Bloomberg he had discussed a higher rise than the 3.1% given across the board but was told there could be an uplift only once a year for people on some benefits.