A recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has revealed that more than half of the increase in disability benefits in England and Wales is due to a rise in mental health claims, with about 500,000 of the nearly 1 million increase in claimants since the pandemic attributed to mental ill-health. The report shows that the proportion of claimants citing mental or behavioral problems as their main condition has risen from 25% in 2002 to 44% in 2024.
The government is expected to announce cuts to the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), the main disability benefit, citing the unsustainable rise in the bill for disability benefits, which increased by nearly £13bn between 2019-20 and 2023-24. The IFS report also highlights the increase in mortality rates in England and Wales, with deaths due to alcohol, drugs, or suicide contributing to the rise in disability benefit claims.
The research indicates that improved access to timely mental health treatment is crucial in addressing the growing demand for mental health services. Organizations like Rethink Mental Illness and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation stress the need for a better understanding of the complex reasons behind the rise in mental health problems and the importance of preventing mental illness in the first place.
The government spokesperson mentioned the need for welfare system reform to support sick and disabled individuals in finding employment, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming proposals for reform as part of the Plan for Change. The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for effective mental health support systems and strategies to address the worsening mental health crisis in the population.
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