Minimum Income Guarantee Consultation
We Asked
Wirral Council has provided a higher Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) than the national rate for more than 10 years. The MIG ensures that people receiving non‑residential care retain a minimum amount of income for everyday living costs. We asked people to tell us how a proposal to remove this additional local payment and apply the national MIG would affect them.
You Said
A physical survey was sent to all recipients of Wirral Council's MIG payments, and the survey was available online. A total of 493 people responded to the consultation. Most respondents strongly opposed removing the additional payment, expressing worries about the impact on vulnerable people, financial hardship and reduced independence during a time of rising living costs. Many respondents said the change would mean cutting back on essential expenses or reducing or cancelling care services, and 64% were concerned about the effect on health and wellbeing, highlighting stress, mental health impacts and additional pressure on unpaid carers. Over half said they would not consider alternative services if costs increased. Most responses were submitted by family members or carers on behalf of someone receiving support, and the majority of respondents currently use Adult Social Care services.
We Did
The results of the consultation were presented to the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee. The Committee approved the recommendation to end the additional local MIG payment and apply the national Minimum Income Guarantee. The Council and other Wirral taxpayers can no longer afford to assist people in the cost of their non-residential care, which amounts to £2.2m in a financial year. The national MIG will be used for all new people receiving chargeable non‑residential care from 1 April 2026, and for all existing service users from 1 October 2026 following full financial reassessments. Additional capacity will be commissioned to complete these reassessments, starting with those who will see the largest change. The full consultation report and decision can be viewed on the Council’s website.
