The limit on benefits would apply to the total received from jobseekers' allowance, income support, employment support allowance, housing benefit, council tax benefit, child benefit and child tax credit.

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Minister Philip Driscoll received a designated amount of his total reasonable compensation as a housing allowance, which he divided to provide two homes, rather than one, more expensive home.

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Other data showed the number of people out of work and claiming jobseeker's allowance went up by 2, 200 in October to a total of 134, 800.

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My allowance is considered to be high and therefore the reduction in my total income will be significant.

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At the same time, another 20, 000 carers will be newly awarded an allowance as a result of the PIP reassessment - meaning a net total of 5, 000 carers who will miss out.

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