Oxford News
Child Benefit increases confirmed by HMRC from April 2026
HMRC pays Child Benefit, and families with one child will now receive the new amount of £27.05 per week, up from £26.05 each week.
Families will also receive £17.90 per week (up from £17.25) for each additional child they have after that. There is no limit to how many children families can claim for.
Payments will increase in line with the Consumer Price Index for the year to September 2025, which is 3.8%. As a result, from April 2026:
- Child Benefit for the eldest child will rise from £26.05 to £27.05 per week
- Payments for additional children will go from £17.25 to £17.90 per week
- Guardian’s Allowance will increase from £22.10 to £22.95 per week
Child Benefit, normally paid every four weeks, means families will receive:
- £108.20 for the eldest child
- £71.60 for each additional child
- £91.80 for Guardian’s Allowance
Families with ongoing claims do not need to contact HMRC, as the increased benefit payment will continue to be paid directly into their bank accounts. Anyone who needs to update their personal details, such as a change of bank account or address, can do so online at GOV.UK.
Parents can also backdate their claims by up to three months.
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You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:
- under 16
- or under 20, if they stay in approved education or training
If you or your partner earn over the Child Benefit threshold
If either you or your partner’s income (after deductions) is over the threshold, you may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
This income is before any personal allowances and Gift Aid, but includes interest from savings and dividends.
Work out if your adjusted net income is over the threshold using the Child Benefit tax calculator . If it is, the calculator will also tell you how much charge you’ll have to pay.
If both you and your partner have an individual income that’s over the threshold, then whoever has the higher adjusted net income is responsible for paying the charge.
If either you or your partner has an individual income of £80,000 or more above the threshold, you’ll be charged the same amount as you make through Child Benefit payments. You’ll end up with no extra money from Child Benefit, but you can still get the other advantages provided by Child Benefit, like National Insurance credits.
You’ll also need to fill in a Self Assessment tax return each tax year to pay the charge.
Child Benefit and National Insurance Credits
You’ll get National Insurance credits automatically if you claim Child Benefit and your child is under 12.
These credits count towards your State Pension, so you do not have gaps in your National Insurance record while you’re raising a child if either:
- you’re not working
- you do not earn enough to pay National Insurance contributions
If you do not need the National Insurance credits, your family may be eligible to get the support instead. Either:
- your husband, wife or partner can apply to transfer the credits
- a different family member who provides care for your child can apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits
Only one person can get Child Benefit for each child.
Three Year 10 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London for the Royal Navy International Women’s Day event, held on HMS President during Careers Week and designed to showcase opportunities within the Royal Navy and beyond.
Students Antonia Pop, Ellie Swan and Tilly Mulvey are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Ellie Swan said: “It was fantastic to see the possible career paths within the Navy.”
Rob Hayden, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Aureus School, accompanied the students to the event.
He said: “During the day, students had talks from individuals within the Navy and from guest speakers, including Hannah Botterman, who last year won both the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations with England.”
He said: “Students also had the chance to network with the speakers and other attendees.
“The event showed the students a wide range of inspirational females within the Navy and other careers.”
Aureus School, part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, says its vision is focused on ‘cultivating ambition’ and ‘high standards for all’.
Headteacher Kirsty Rogers says the Didcot-based co-educational comprehensive has undergone a ‘transformative journey’, creating a community where students feel a strong sense of belonging. She emphasises inclusivity, high expectations, and a broad curriculum that encourages ambition, resilience and respect, supported by dedicated staff and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.
The flights mark a major boost to the airport’s connectivity ahead of the budget airline’s record Summer 2026 schedule.
The new routes form part of Ryanair’s expanded Glasgow programme for Summer 2026, which will see the airline operate over 100 weekly flights across eight routes.
The new double-daily London Stansted service further strengthens Glasgow’s access to the English capital, while the launch of the Warsaw service enhances Glasgow’s international offering.
Jonathan Ford, portfolio manager at AGS Airports, said: “It’s fantastic to see Ryanair’s new services to London Stansted and Warsaw take off today.
“The double-daily Stansted route offers even more flexibility for business and leisure travellers heading to and from England’s innovation corridor, while Warsaw provides a valuable new link that expands the international connectivity available to our passengers.
“These launches mark the start of what will be a record summer for Ryanair at Glasgow, and we look forward to welcoming even more travellers through our doors.”
Last month, Ryanair launched its 2026 plan for Glasgow with 10 routes, including holiday hotspots like Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife, as well as city break destinations like Barcelona and Pisa.
The budget airline will also operate extra frequencies on its Alicante, Faro, Pisa, Malaga and Murcia routes.
The new schedule is underpinned by Ryanair’s two Glasgow Prestwick-based aircraft.
Thames Valley Police said it stopped a vehicle yesterday evening (Saturday March 28) after noting it had defective lights in Woodstock.
The car “smelt of cannabis” and following a “positive drugs test” the police arrested the motorist.
READ MORE: Investigation launched as unidentified Toyota ‘hits’ pedestrian near Uni Parks
A spokesperson for the the roads policing unit said they “stopped a vehicle this evening with defective lights in Woodstock”.
They added: “The vehicle smelt of cannabis. The driver provided a positive drug wipe and was arrested.”
Driving under the influence of drugs (drug driving) is a criminal offence and if found guilty, the driver could face an automatic driving ban, a hefty fine, and potential prison time.
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