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Millions of people will have their benefits frozen for another year, the Tory government has confirmed.

The confirmation was made this morning - with an e-mail alert arriving in the Mirror's inbox 21 minutes after the Royal engagement was revealed.

The policy had been known, and ministers had always planned to announce next year's benefit rates today.

But the timing means many people may have missed it - and has thrown the two issues into stark contrast.

Today's announcement re-confirms the policy by welfare-slashing Tory George Osborne to freeze working-age benefits for four years from 2016/17.

As food prices rise, the state pension is going up by 3% from April 2018 and the 1% pay rise cap in the public sector is set to be scrapped.

Yet despite this, Theresa May has stuck to the freeze on benefits in a bid to slash £3.9billion a year by 2019/20.

That means apart from pensions and carers' allowance, the vast majority of benefits will be worth less as prices shoot up.

(Image: PA)

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Just weeks ago inflation reached a five-year high of 3%, adding to the pressure on families.

Welfare minister Caroline Dinenage said benefits "linked to the additional cost of disability" would be exempt.

But the small print reveals this does not apply to thousands of people on sickness payment Employment and Support Allowance.

Among ESA claimants, only carers, those in the "support group" or those receiving enhanced or severe premiums for disability will see a rise in ESA from 9 April 2018.

The confirmation of the freeze was buried at the bottom of a written statement by Ms Dinenage that said she was "pleased" to announce new rates.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

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Disability and carers' benefits, including all Personal Independence Payments (PIP), will rise by the CPI measure of inflation.

The changes will take effect within months of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding next spring.

It is not yet known what cost their wedding will have to the taxpayer, if any, but it is likely to need heavy policing - partly due to the enthusiastic crowds it will attract.

Some pointed out the contrast between the two announcements - one of joy and another of misery.

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SNP MP Paul Monaghan said bitterly: "Let them eat cake".

Despite the pre-planned nature of the announcement, others accused the Tories of using the Royal engagement to bury the news.

Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesman Stephen Lloyd said: "The Tories seem to be shamelessly using the Royal engagement to bury bad news. Millions of hard-pressed families are set to be pushed over the edge into poverty by these cruel cuts."

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams said: " Once again the Prime Minister has failed to make good on her promise to help those struggling to get by.

“By continuing to freeze working-age benefits at a time when inflation is soaring, the Government is subjecting 10.5 million households to an average cut of £450 a year."

Labour has "committed to lifting the freeze", she added. The party says this because of extra money it would put into the system, but it has not committed to a direct uprating of all benefits with inflation every year.

Key benefit rates from 9 April 2018

Attendance allowance: £85.60 (up from £83.10)

Benefit cap: £23,000 London / £20,000 for others (frozen)

Carers' allowance: £64.60 (up from £62.70)

ESA work-related component: £29.05 (frozen)

ESA support component: £37.65 (up from £36.55)

Housing benefit: £73.10 for many (frozen)

Jobseekers' allowance: £73.10 over 25, £57.90 under 25

Maternity allowance: £145.18 (up from £140.98)

PIP daily living enhanced: £85.60 (up from £83.10)

PIP daily living standard: £57.30 (up from £55.65)

PIP mobility enhanced: £59.75 (up from £58.00)

PIP mobility standard: £22.65 (up from £22.00)

State pension: £164.35 (up from £159.55)

Universal Credit: Most rates frozen

For full rates paid for every type of benefit this year and next year, click here.