UK Taxpayers Fund £1 Billion Annually for Teenagers Receiving Benefits for Autism, ADHD, and Depression

Taxpayers in the UK are spending approximately £1 billion each year to provide disability benefits to more than 120,000 teenagers diagnosed with conditions such as autism, ADHD, and depression, according to a new analysis.

Last year, 127,600 individuals between the ages of 16 and 19 in England and Wales claimed Personal Independence Payment (PIP), receiving up to £192 weekly for these health conditions. This situation contributes to a significant number of young people classified as NEET – not in education, employment, or training.

The analysis, which draws on data from The Times, follows a recent report that highlighted concerns about potentially superficial assessments for ADHD and autism, which may be fueling the rise in reported diagnoses. While autism diagnosis rates have seen a substantial increase in recent years, a government-commissioned review found no definitive evidence of a corresponding actual increase in the number of autistic children.

The review suggested that parents may be influenced by schools and welfare systems that inadvertently incentivize such diagnoses. The £1 billion spent annually on these benefits could instead fund approximately 442,000 ten-month waiting list child mental health assessments by the NHS, with each assessment potentially covering six counseling sessions, as reported by The Times.

A former DWP minister told The Times that the current system provides cash to young people who need help, but this funding could be better utilized for direct treatment. The minister noted that the Department for Work and Pensions does not offer therapy, and the NHS cannot expedite care for welfare claimants, leading to a gap in support.

Separately, a report indicated that Britain has spent £1.1 trillion more on welfare than on infrastructure over the past two decades. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) described welfare spending as an 'anaesthetic' that has masked economic stagnation in certain regions. Between 2006/7 and 2024-25, the UK allocated £1.6 trillion to working-age benefits, significantly exceeding public investment in areas like transport, science, technology, housing, and community amenities.

Ben Gregg, head of welfare at the CSJ, stated that for decades, governments have attempted to mitigate the effects of economic decline in struggling areas through welfare, rather than addressing the root causes and offering opportunities for recovery.

A government spokesperson affirmed a commitment to reducing worklessness and fostering growth across all regions. This includes a 10-year infrastructure strategy, a £120 billion increase in public investment to attract private capital, and reforms in planning, infrastructure, and regulation. The spokesperson also mentioned welfare system reforms, such as reducing the disparity between Universal Credit standard and health rates, reinstating face-to-face assessments, and investing £3.5 billion in employment support, with further sustainable reforms anticipated from the Timms and Milburn Reviews.