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A think tank has called on the government to introduce an “emergency handbrake” aimed at reducing the number of individuals receiving health and disability benefits. The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) has recommended that people diagnosed with certain conditions, including mild depression and ADHD, should not qualify for cash benefits. Instead, these conditions should be categorized as “non-work limiting,” with affected individuals offered support services rather than direct financial aid.
The institute suggests the government create a new classification encompassing conditions such as anxiety, stress-related disorders, certain musculoskeletal issues like lower back pain, and some neurodevelopmental disorders, provided they do not prevent participation in work. This change, TBI argues, could be implemented swiftly without needing a full act of Parliament, while broader reforms are prepared. Alongside this, they propose that claimants be required to have a formal diagnosis and undergo more frequent and stringent reassessments to ensure the appropriateness of ongoing benefit claims.
Officials from the government have stated that they will take the report under consideration. However, disability advocate groups have expressed strong opposition to the proposals. Scope, a charity for people with learning disabilities, described the suggestions as “deeply unhelpful and ill-informed.” Its chief executive, Jon Holmes, emphasized that labeling individuals and restricting their benefits will not address underlying issues but will instead exacerbate anxiety, poverty, and hardship. He criticized the approach as harmful and unlikely to bring about genuine reform.
The government’s efforts to limit eligibility for disability benefits have faced significant political pushback in the past, with Labour MPs opposing previous restrictions introduced last year. Currently, the system continues to see approximately 1,000 new claimants daily, with Conservative and Reform UK parties advocating for tighter qualification rules, especially concerning mental health conditions like anxiety. Meanwhile, projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility indicate that spending on health and sickness benefits for working-age people will reach £78.1 billion by 2029-30, marking a considerable increase. The government maintains commitment to reviewing and updating the benefits framework, with a review led by Social Security Minister Sir Stephen Timms anticipated later in the year
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