Health Secretary Wes Streeting has commissioned a major review into the diagnosis of mental health conditions, as the Government seeks to address a sharp rise in sickness benefit claims.
Examining the Surge in Claims
The review, reported by The Times, is a direct response to concerns over the rapid increase in working-age people claiming benefits due to conditions like mental illness, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mr Streeting has tasked leading clinical experts with investigating whether normal feelings of distress are being "over-pathologised."
This initiative comes against a backdrop of a significant expansion in the welfare bill. The number of working-age individuals claiming sickness or incapacity benefits now stands at 4.4 million, a figure that has grown by 1.2 million since 2019. Notably, there has been a rapid rise in the number of 16 to 34-year-olds unable to work due to long-term mental health conditions during the same period.
A Clinical Lens on a Political Challenge
The launch of this review follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's signal on Monday for a renewed push on welfare reform, describing a system that is "trapping people, not just in poverty, but out of work." It also comes after ministers earlier this year retreated from plans to reform disability benefits following opposition from Labour backbenchers.
In comments to The Times, Wes Streeting stressed a balanced approach, acknowledging his "personal experience" of how devastating it can be for people struggling to get a diagnosis or support. He stated the investigation must look "through a strictly clinical lens to get an evidence-based understanding" of the driving factors behind the rising diagnosis rates.
"That's the only way we can ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support," the Health Secretary added.
Expert Panel to Lead the Investigation
The review is scheduled to be formally launched on Thursday. It will be chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy, a prominent clinical psychologist at University College London who specialises in child mental health. Sir Simon Wessely, a former president of the Royal College of Psychiatry, will serve as vice chairman.
Professor Fonagy told The Times that the panel would carefully examine evidence from research, people with lived experience, and frontline clinicians. The goal is to understand "in a grounded way, what is driving rising demand" for mental health, autism, and ADHD services.
This move places the complex intersection of healthcare, societal well-being, and public spending firmly under the microscope as the new Government grapples with its welfare reform agenda.
