New official figures have revealed a striking prevalence of mental health conditions among individuals receiving sickness benefits who are not mandated to search for employment in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Statistics released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) indicate that a substantial 91 per cent of claimants assessed since January 2022 as having limited capability for work are recorded as suffering from mental or behavioural disorders.
Understanding the Claimant Categories
Health-related Universal Credit can encompass individuals dealing with conditions such as depression, stress, anxiety, and eating disorders. Those claimants who undergo an assessment and are determined to have limited capability for work are excused from the requirement to actively seek a job. However, they may still be expected to engage in activities aimed at preparing them for future employment, including undertaking training programmes or developing a curriculum vitae.
In contrast, claimants assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity face no obligations to look for work or to prepare for future employment. The latest DWP data, published on Thursday, shows that by the end of last year, 3.5 million people were on Universal Credit due to a health condition or disability.
Significant Increases in Claimant Numbers
This figure represents a notable increase of 1 million, or 41 per cent, since December 2024, and a further rise of 9 per cent since September of last year. The DWP has clarified that the majority of this annual increase, approximately 74 per cent, is attributable to claimants transitioning from the older Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) system to Universal Credit.
Among all health-related Universal Credit claimants who had not transitioned from ESA between 2022 and 2025, at least 71 per cent were recorded as having mental and behavioural disorders, although the department notes this may not necessarily be their primary condition.
Detailed Breakdown of Claimant Assessments
Of the 3.5 million individuals on health-related Universal Credit at the end of last year, 440,000, or 13 per cent, were assessed as having limited capability for work. A significantly larger group, comprising 2.7 million claimants, were assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity.
The demographic distribution shows that two-fifths, or 42 per cent, of all claimants were aged over 50, while only 7 per cent were under 25 years old. Furthermore, 53 per cent of Universal Credit claimants with a health condition or disability were female as of December last year.
Regional Variations Across Britain
Geographical analysis reveals distinct regional patterns. Scotland recorded the highest proportion of health-related Universal Credit claimants across Britain, at 51 per cent. Within England, the North East had the highest proportion of claimants for health reasons, at 47 per cent, whereas London reported the lowest at 34 per cent.
Nationally, 42 per cent of all Universal Credit claimants in Britain received the benefit in December last year due to a health condition or disability, marking an eight percentage point increase from December 2024.
Work Capability Assessment Decisions
Since April 2019, the DWP has made 4.5 million decisions on work capability assessments. Of these, 12 per cent were found to have no limited capability for work, 16 per cent were found to have limited capability for work, and a substantial 72 per cent were found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity.
Regional disparities are evident in these assessments as well. Wales had the highest proportion of limited capability for work and work-related activity decisions at 75 per cent, while the North East of England had the lowest at 68 per cent.
Financial Implications and Future Projections
The proportion of mental and behavioural disorders was lower, at 52 per cent, for claimants found capable for work, but significantly higher, at 91 per cent, for those found to have limited capability for work. Official forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, released this month, project that the cost of sickness and disability benefits is set to rise to £110 billion annually by the start of the next decade.
This comprehensive data underscores the growing impact of mental health conditions on the welfare system and highlights the substantial financial burden anticipated in the coming years.
