PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The number of people in the United Kingdom reporting disabilities has surged, alongside an increase in severe mental health conditions.

Who’s Involved: Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Labour Members of Parliament (MPs), the Department for Work and Pensions, and mental health charity Mind.

Where & When: The United Kingdom, with recent statistics released and policy changes announced this week.

Key Quote: “This Government is increasing investment in mental health care by an extra £320 million in real terms,” a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman stated.

Impact: Changes to disability benefits are projected to place 250,000 more individuals into relative poverty despite overall spending increases on disability benefits.

IN FULL

A significant rise in self-reported disabilities has been recorded in the United Kingdom, with one in four Britons now identifying as disabled. The increase is largely attributed to an escalating crisis in mental health, a situation compounded by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Recent statistics reveal that two million more people now report substantial impairments—either physical or mental—that affect daily life.

The developments follow Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of substantial modifications to the welfare system. The aim is to secure £5 billion (~$6.4 billion) in savings by 2030. As part of the plan, disability benefits will see significant cuts. Universal credit health benefits for future claimants are set to be halved by 2026 and subsequently frozen until the end of the decade. Protests have emerged from both charities and more than 150,000 individuals facing the loss of their carers’ allowance.

Some MPs from the governing Labour Party are voicing strong opposition to these cuts. Government calculations suggest 250,000 more people may enter into poverty as a result of the austerity measures. Meanwhile, disability benefit expenditures are forecast to soar, rising from £36 billion last year to £59 billion in the next five years, despite the cost-saving strategies.

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions highlights a 40 percent increase over the last decade in those deemed to have disabilities, with 16.8 million people currently classified as such. Approximately 5.8 million individuals possess mental health conditions severe enough to qualify as disabilities. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has highlighted concerns over “overdiagnosis” of mental health issues.

Image by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street.

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