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Thinktank Urges Overhaul of UK Disability Benefits as Costs Forecast to Soar by 2030

CSJ warns ministers’ decision to rule out welfare savings in the Timms Review leaves spending pressures unchecked.

Overview

  • CSJ projects disability‑related benefits to rise from about £49.6bn to between £72.3bn and £76.8bn by 2030, equating to roughly £580–£700 per taxpayer.
  • The thinktank recommends ending PIP and the Universal Credit health element for milder anxiety, depression or ADHD, affecting around 1.1 million claimants.
  • It proposes resetting remaining awards to £103 per week and estimates £7.4bn in savings by 2029/30, with at least £1bn directed to NHS Talking Therapies and employment support.
  • Further ideas include a Future Workforce Credit funded by removing the UC health element for under‑22s, which CSJ says could help 120,000 young people into jobs and deliver £765m in net savings.
  • The Timms Review will operate within OBR PIP projections, the DWP says it aims to make PIP fair and focused on work, and Conservative figures attack Labour’s approach while touting £23bn in alternative savings.