The changes, which come into force in April, are designed to narrow the gap between payments for people on health-related benefits and those actively seeking work and include lowering the universal credit health element rate of £217.26 per month for new claimants, compared to the higher rate of £429.80.

Those with the most severe, lifelong conditions, those nearing end of life, and all existing universal credit health claimants will continue to receive the higher rate.

The changes will also see almost 4m households on the standard rate of universal credit receive the first sustained above-inflation increase to the benefit.

Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden said: ‘The benefits system we inherited was rigged with the wrong incentives and wrote people off instead of backing them. We are changing this.

‘These reforms put more money in the pockets of working people on universal credit, while ensuring those who can work get the support they need to do so.

‘By boosting the standard allowance and investing in proper employment support, we're building a welfare system that rewards work and offers people a route to a better future.'