Almost nine times higher than the pre-pandemic level of 380,000 in December 2019.
Warning for people claiming DWP benefits for a mental health condition
Nine in 10 benefits claimants deemed too sick to work have a mental health condition, according to shocking new figures. That is almost nine times higher than the pre-pandemic level of 380,000 in December 2019.
The Department for Work and Pensions said 91 per cent of claims since the end of lockdown measures in January 2022 were recorded as having “mental and behavioural disorders”.
And 80 per cent of those on incapacity benefits now receive up to £5,000 a year in extra cash without needing to look for a job at all. The figures were released on Thursday, and laid bare by the Telegraph newspaper.
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The paper reports official forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility show the cost of sickness and disability benefits is set to rise to £110bn a year by the start of the next decade as caseloads continue to rise.
It comes as the Labour Party desperately tries to trim the welfare bill – despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves being met with a growing backlash.
Thinktanks have urged Labour to “repair” the UK – and reduce the amount spent on DWP claimants.
Speaking earlier this week, Joe Shalam, policy director at the Centre for Social Justice, said: “Britain cannot afford to keep writing off millions of people to long term welfare while the world becomes more dangerous.
“Behind these numbers are millions of people with talents and dreams who deserve the chance to gain all the advantages that come with work.
“We already spend more on health related benefits than the entire defence budget. Repairing broken Britain and helping people realise their potential is ultimately a matter of national security.”
It came after the CSJ reported Britain’s welfare bill is set to surge by £18 billion in a single year.
New figures show the cost of benefits and pensions will climb to around £333 billion this year, an increase larger than the annual budgets of several government departments combined.
The rise is being “driven by soaring sickness and disability claims as well as increases to pensions and benefits,” the think tank added.