A teenager claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for anxiety can receive over £100 a week, more than double the £94 a 16-year-old working the maximum 12 hours a week on the under-18 minimum wage would take home. This stark disparity, revealed in analysis by The Times, has placed the UK's disability benefit system at the centre of political debate as Prime Minister Andy Burnham signals major changes.
PIP is a benefit for people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities, intended to help with everyday tasks and extra living costs. It is paid in two tiers: a lower rate and an upper rate of £194 a week. The number of claimants in England and Wales has surged past four million, roughly doubling since 2019. More than 87,000 of those claimants are 16 and 17-year-olds, with over two-thirds of those on the upper tier claiming for mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions such as anxiety, depression, autism and ADHD.
“Explains PIP, the UK's main disability benefit, why claims have surged, and the government's planned reforms.”
The rise in claims prompted the government to launch a review of disability benefits last year, after ministers were forced to abandon earlier reform plans due to backbench Labour opposition. The review, led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, is gathering views on how PIP works and is due to report in the autumn. The review team has said its recommendations will be “bold in nature and bold in recognition of the wider environment in which disabled people in the UK are living”.
For UK readers, the outcome of this review could alter the financial support available to millions, including those with mental health conditions. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated he wants to “get really serious” about curbing the welfare bill, signalling that he could tighten the conditions attached to receiving support while insisting more should be provided to help people into work. Pressed on whether he could remove or reduce benefits for current claimants, Burnham said: “It’s about changing the nature of the support and making some of the support conditional upon people taking opportunities that are presented in front of them.”
Q: What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)? PIP is a UK benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. It is designed to help with extra living costs, such as getting around or daily care needs, and is paid at two rates: a standard rate and an enhanced rate (currently £184.30 and £275.20 per week for daily living, and £72.65 and £108.55 for mobility). The amounts are reviewed annually.
Q: Why is the PIP system being reviewed? The review was launched after the number of PIP claimants doubled to over four million since 2019, with a large proportion of new claims linked to mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. The government said the system is “no longer fit for purpose” and promised “bold” reform. The review, led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, is due to report in autumn 2026 with recommendations for change.
Q: What does Andy Burnham want to change about benefits? Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the UK must “get really serious” about curbing the welfare bill. He has indicated ministers could increase the conditions attached to receiving benefits, such as requiring claimants to take up opportunities like training or work. He stressed that mental health support should be provided where needed, but suggested that some support could become conditional. The final decisions will depend on the review's recommendations.
What happens next? The independent review into PIP, led by Sir Stephen Timms, is expected to publish its final report and recommendations in autumn 2026. The government has said no changes to the benefit will be made until the review is complete. Burnham's signals suggest a push for tougher conditions, but the precise reforms remain unknown. Claimants, charities and employers will be watching closely.