Overview
- The number of working-age adults claiming disability benefits in England and Wales has risen from 2 million in 2019 to 2.9 million in 2024, with over 500,000 citing mental health as their primary condition.
- Mental health conditions now account for 44% of disability benefit claims, up from 25% in 2002, reflecting a significant post-pandemic deterioration in population mental health.
- Government spending on health-related benefits has increased by £12 billion since 2019, reaching £48 billion in 2023, and is projected to rise further by the end of the decade.
- Deaths related to alcohol, drugs, and suicide—often referred to as 'deaths of despair'—have increased by 24% compared to pre-pandemic levels, with 3,700 additional deaths in 2023 alone.
- The government is planning welfare reforms, including reassessing claims, while also committing to recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers to address rising demand for NHS services.