Overview

• Pat McFadden told the BBC he is not ruling out tighter eligibility or ending the health-related Universal Credit element for people under 22.
• His comments follow the government’s earlier retreat from proposed PIP and UC health-benefit changes and the launch of a Stephen Timms-led review due next autumn.
• He argued welfare reform is ongoing, calling the current system unhealthy and costly because too few people who could work are getting the right help.
• McFadden now heads a new super ministry that brings skills into the Department for Work and Pensions, with an early focus on young people not in education, employment or training.
• Disability charities voiced concern about potential cuts, and some outlets have reported unconfirmed proposals to reduce health-related UC top-ups for new claimants from 2026.