7.4 million people claim some form of disability or incapacity benefits

[MidnightPatrol]

Given the various back and forth of discussion on the reduction in disability and incapacity benefits, not much data on the debate has been shared - it’s a mainly emotional debate.

So for context, the figures:

• 7.4 million people claim sickness benefits of some kind
• The total number of claimants has increased by a third in five years (up 1.8 million)
• 1 in 10 working age adults claims, and 1 in 12 school aged children
• 1.2 million people aged under 25 claim sickness benefits, a rise of two thirds in 5 years - 1 in 15 claiming something
• 4 million adults claim sickness benefit of some kind, up from 2.8 million in 2019. Two thirds of that increase is people under 50.
• 2.5 million people claim UC health benefits, up 500k people this year alone - in 2019 less than 500k people claimed this
• 1.8 million have no requirement to look for work
• Sickness benefits for working age adults are expected to cost £70b by 2030 - a third of the cost of the NHS

And the numbers will go up, because we live longer and mental health is starting to be taken seriously. Other conditions that were a meh, now are been taking into account.
Which percentage of those numbers is the ones that are taking the piss? I don't know.
Maybe will be better to start to make changes in keep the ones that can still make a living to not get sick.
Prevention is a must.
NHS queues need to be sorted.

As someone who gave up a job in a call centre (though not minimum wage) and then claimed PIP for a chronic illness, I can categorically tell you I’d much, much rather be well enough to be back in that call centre.

Rubbish. Everyone I know who has had to claim PIP received zero points the first time and had to go to tribunal.

Except, that is, my 23 year old daughter who isn’t able to speak and has 2:1 carers 24/7.

There’s a definite attitude towards thinking that it’s more fraud or exaggeration rather than genuine sickness or disability and a real sense of resentment over the amount people can receive in disability benefits . It’s plain to see what is just under the surface. Uncomfortable maybe to realise for some. Please though keep going it really helps others to see the truth .

And don't forget the motability car

Is that the behaviour of.Nazis though?? Realistically??

agree. The NHS should be the target here

It took me 2 attempts to get awarded DLA 15 years ago. You're almost always never awarded the first time.

What fraudsters? The fraud rate is low.

Do you get as angry about people with small businesses who fiddle taxes?

Would still really love to see equivalent numbers for the powerful who cost our country cash in evasion and fraud.
So much focus on those without power. Suppose they’re easy targets for some.

I received it first time.

They will probably be net contributors though.

It started slowly. Resentment towards one group of people. I’m not calling anyone anything just offering a reminder.

nobody is getting a motability car for their children without a significant and genuine need. How you can resent someone for needing a mobility car for their children is beyond me.

I think it's a step too far I'm afraid. Rather insulting to the majority of posters on this thread.

Also you can often wait week if not months for a motability car it’s not ways to get awarded high mobility or to get the actual car !

Inequality is the problem. The rest of us are just fighting over scraps. Go watch or read about Gary Stevenson.

https://youtube.com/@garyseconomics?si=uLsySXj8UVD8d7Ll

Motability cars have to be paid for using PIP money. They are not free.

It really annoys me that people like you spread lies and misinformation just because you’re fed up and you resent anyone getting something that you perceive to be free when it’s not.

As I said I’m not calling anyone anything just saying I see a worrying trend and it’s worth being mindful of that .

Thank you for starting this thread.

I work in a SEN school for children with moderate learning difficulties. Over 50% of our children are awarded DLA of £184.30 per WEEK. Then the parents get £81.90 per WEEK carers allowance. £266.20 per WEEK.

DLA is awarded because children don't walk safely with their parents when out and about (but can with us on our weekly school trips) and occasionally need supervision overnight when the child wakes up and refuses to go back to sleep.

This is just my school of 140 pupils. It's repeated across the country. Parents know what to say to be awarded DLA. And that's just DLA for children.

It's not sustainable.

If you have mobility so limited that you qualify to hire a car (or wheelchair etc) through the motability scheme then the money comes out of your PIP it’s not given to you on top. You also have to pay a downpayment that you don’t get back unless you can fit in the smallest cars. Thats thousands to be found every 3 years.

You’re clearly in the wrong job.

You suggested that people on this thread were Nazis. It was a very obvious implication. It's overused these days by anyone who doesn't want to use proper arguments so has unfortunately lost much of it's power. But it's still a very incendiary thing to suggest bearing in mind the Real Nazi's treatment of the disabled (gassing and experimenting on).

This is why people ask for peer reviewed studies though

Arf at weeks! Over a year for many.