Rising mental health issues are significantly impacting the UK welfare system, with over half of the increase in disability benefit claims since the pandemic linked to mental health conditions. A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies highlighted that 44% of the 1.3 million disability claimants are primarily for mental health issues. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is contemplating cuts to the £65bn welfare budget, emphasizing the need for reform in a system criticized by Sir Keir Starmer as unsustainable. Labour MPs, especially those from the Red Wall, support these reforms to combat welfare dependency and improve life outcomes for families.
Rising levels of mental ill health are causing the UK welfare bill to balloon, with 44% of disability claimants related to mental health conditions, particularly post-pandemic.
The Labour government, under Chancellor Rachel Reeves, is proposing cuts to welfare, aiming to address the unsustainable £65bn bill for health-related benefits.
Sir Keir Starmer describes the current benefits system as 'unsustainable, indefensible, and unfair,' calling for changes to encourage work instead of dependency.
Labour MPs, particularly from the Red Wall, advocate for reform, arguing it’s a moral duty to help people move away from a cycle of welfare dependency.
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