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'Emergency handbrake' needed on sickness benefits, Blair think tank says
TL;DR
The Tony Blair Institute recommends an 'emergency handbrake' to reduce health and disability benefits, suggesting conditions like mild depression and ADHD should be deemed non-work limiting. The government is considering the report, while critics call the proposals unhelpful.
Key points
- Tony Blair Institute suggests cutting health and disability benefits
- Conditions like mild depression and ADHD deemed non-work limiting
- Government considers the report's recommendations
- Scope charity criticizes the proposals as unhelpful
- Previous plans to restrict benefits faced backlash from Labour MPs
The government should introduce an "emergency handbrake" to cut the number of people who are receiving health and disability benefits, a think tank says.
The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) says people diagnosed with conditions such as mild depression or ADHD should not be eligible for cash benefits.
It argues such conditions should be classed as "non-work limiting" - with people offered support rather than money.
Ministers said they would "consider the report" but learning disability charity Scope called the proposals "deeply unhelpful and ill-informed."
The government tabled plans to restrict eligibility for disability benefits last year, but ended up largely gutting its own plans after a revolt from Labour MPs.
It says it remains committed to making sure the system is "fit for the future", but this work now depends on a review led by Social Security Minister Sir Stephen Timms, expected later this year.
With 1,000 people a day becoming eligible for health and disability benefits, the Conservatives and Reform UK have urged more restrictive qualification criteria, particularly for people with conditions such as anxiety.
In March, the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast that spending on health and sickness benefits for working age people would reach £78.1bn by 2029-30, a 15% increase on this year.
The TBI argues that the government should immediately implement a series of changes to reduce the number of people claiming these benefits.
The think tank, which was set up by the former PM and describes itself as non-partisan, says ministers should create a new category of "non-work limiting conditions", which would apply to anxiety or stress-related disorders.
Researchers also said the new category should cover lower back pain, common musculoskeletal conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders where evidence shows they are compatible with work.
They say these changes could be introduced without the the need for a full act of Parliament, whilst more detailed reform proposals are developed.
They have also suggested every claimant should have a diagnosis for a condition before applying for benefits, with more frequent and rigorous reassessment of those on sickness benefits.
While they have been unable to say how much these measures would save, or how many recipients would lose their entitlement to benefits, they say savings should be re-invested into employment support and treatment, particularly for mental health and musculoskeletal conditions.
"The system is drawing too many people into long-term dependency for conditions that are often treatable and compatible with work, and not doing enough to support recovery," said Dr Charlotte Refsu, a former GP and director of health policy at the institute.
"Clarity about what isn't a work-limiting condition ensures people get the treatment and support they need.
Q&A
What does the Tony Blair Institute propose regarding sickness benefits?
The Tony Blair Institute proposes introducing an 'emergency handbrake' to limit health and disability benefits for individuals with conditions like mild depression and ADHD.
Why does the think tank classify mild depression and ADHD as non-work limiting?
The think tank argues that conditions such as mild depression and ADHD should not qualify for cash benefits and instead suggests offering support services.
What was the government's previous plan regarding disability benefits eligibility?
The government had previously tabled plans to restrict eligibility for disability benefits but significantly weakened those plans after facing backlash from Labour MPs.
How has the charity Scope reacted to the proposals from the Tony Blair Institute?
The charity Scope has described the proposals from the Tony Blair Institute as 'deeply unhelpful and ill-informed.'
