UK minister calls for reform of youth welfare benefits — The Guardian
UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden has urged Labour Party MPs to support substantial changes to the welfare benefits system in order to help more young people find employment. As The Guardian reports, the government is preparing for a reform that could involve cutting benefits for some people aged 16 to 24.
Review of the support system
McFadden said that the Labour Party must update the social security system created under Clement Attlee’s government and later reformed by Labour. According to him, after the publication of two reviews — one on young people, being prepared by Alan Milburn, and another on the key disability benefit, being conducted by the Timms commission — the government will have to make further decisions.
After the reviews are completed, the government is expected to develop a new system and assessment procedure for disability benefits, which will likely require new legislation. The reform is also expected to focus on supporting young people in finding employment and receiving vocational training. The current jobs guarantee programme funds six-month employment placements for people under 25; young people with disabilities have accelerated access to it.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Growing number of recipients
In the United Kingdom, around one million young people are not working, studying or undergoing vocational training. At the same time, the number of young recipients of disability benefits has risen sharply since the pandemic. In April, around 205,000 people aged 16–24 were receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for conditions associated with ADHD or autism. This is more than three times the 2019 figure.
Spending on PIP for this group amounted to £1.36 billion in 2025–2026, while the average annual payment was £8,800. Total spending on disability benefits for people of working age is forecast to rise from £14 billion in 2019 to £34 billion in 2030.
Interim findings of the Timms commission’s review showed that PIP does not fulfil its purpose and often leaves vulnerable claimants feeling humiliated. At the same time, Milburn’s interim report stresses that young people with lifelong complex needs who are unable to work must remain protected by the social assistance system.
