State benefits for strikers

Strikers are generally excluded from claiming state benefits. The same is true of anyone locked out because of industrial action, unless they can show they have no direct interest in the dispute at their workplace.

The dependants of strikers or locked out workers are entitled to claim benefits. However, in calculating their “personal allowances” when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits, a deduction of £47 a week will be made (2023-24). This is supposed to represent the amount the striker would be receiving in union strike pay. It is deducted regardless of whether any strike pay is actually received. Any strike pay over that amount is classed as income and taken fully into account. The dependants of non-union members on strike have the same amount deducted.