ADHD benefit claims rise, adding to UK welfare challenge

The United Kingdom faces a growing welfare challenge as the bill for working-age sickness and disability benefits climbs, projected to reach £78 billion by 2030. The current total stands at £58 billion, a significant increase since 2020, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.

A notable surge is observed in claims related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The latest government figures reveal that over 100,000 individuals now receive Personal Independent Payments (Pip) with ADHD as their main condition. This represents a substantial 40% increase in such cases since the Labour party came to power two years ago.

Overall, Pip claims in England and Wales have risen to 4 million, up from 3.6 million when Labour took office. This upward trend in claimants was already evident under the previous Conservative government. Pip, introduced in 2013 as a replacement for Disability Living Allowance, assists individuals with the extra costs associated with physical or mental health conditions and disabilities.

Furthermore, a growing proportion of new Pip claims submitted since the 2020 pandemic are linked to mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. The share of total claims related to ADHD, autism, depression, or anxiety has climbed from approximately 16.5% in 2020 to 24% in 2026. An interim report by Sir Stephen Timms is expected to propose significant reforms to the benefit system in response to these trends.