Support for general welfare handouts in Britain is approaching an historic low, according to findings from the British Social Attitudes survey. The study reveals that the proportion of the public in favor of welfare spending is at its lowest point in nearly three decades, since the question was first included in the survey in 1998.
Despite the overall decline in support for welfare spending, the survey highlights a notable exception: public sentiment remains largely supportive of benefits for disabled individuals who are unable to work. This suggests that any government seeking to cut spending on disability benefits would face significant political risks.
The report indicates that support for spending on disabled people unable to work, as well as on carers, parents with very low incomes, and retired individuals, has decreased. However, the figures show that support for these groups has generally remained high. Currently, only seven percent of respondents believe spending on disability benefits should be reduced, while 49 percent advocate for increased spending, even if it necessitates higher taxes.
The study observed a parallel decrease in support for disability benefits and overall welfare spending. Yet, it found that the public views those with disabilities that prevent them from working more sympathetically than the unemployed. Analysis shows that individuals who oppose increased welfare spending are unlikely to favor cuts to disability benefits; instead, their opposition appears primarily directed at unemployment benefits.
Dr. Robert de Vries, a senior lecturer in quantitative sociology at the University of Kent and co-author of the report, stated that despite growing political divisions regarding welfare, support for disability benefits remains "remarkably strong." He noted that "very few people favor cuts, disabled people are seen as among the most deserving recipients of support, and proposals to reduce disability benefits appear politically risky across the political spectrum."
The survey data further revealed that only seven percent of Conservative voters and 11 percent of Reform voters support reducing disability benefit spending. In contrast, the situation for unemployment benefits is almost reversed, with even Green Party voters, who are generally the most supportive of increased welfare spending, divided on the issue.
In a shift from previous years, the study found that disabled people are now prioritized for additional welfare spending over pensioners.
These findings emerge as a government-commissioned review of the disability benefits system is expected to be published later this autumn. This review was initiated following a parliamentary rebellion against proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the primary disability benefit in England. PIP is designed to assist with daily living tasks and extra costs incurred due to long-term health conditions or disabilities.
Recent figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show that the number of individuals claiming PIP in England and Wales has surpassed four million, effectively doubling since 2019. Inflation-adjusted spending on PIP has risen from £16.3 billion in 2019/20 to an estimated £27.3 billion in 2024/25, with projections indicating a further increase to £41.5 billion by 2030/31. The British Social Attitudes survey report noted that while disability benefits have increased as a percentage of GDP, they have not been the sole driver of overall welfare spending growth.
The survey was conducted in the autumn of 2025. The authors acknowledged that the timing, shortly after the government's unsuccessful attempt to reform PIP, might have influenced respondents to be particularly supportive of disability benefits at that time.