Keir Starmer's government is preparing to implement cuts in welfare spending, projected to reach £378 billion by the end of the decade, mainly due to hikes in health-related benefits and an ageing population. Currently, welfare expenses stand at £296 billion, primarily on pensions. Health and disability benefits for working-age adults have surged since the Covid pandemic, resulting in claims from 8.2 million individuals with work-limiting health conditions. Contributing factors include the government's triple lock policy on pensions and increasing mental health issues in the population.
Levels of obesity and diabetes have risen sharply, while the proportion of working-age households with at least one disabled adult has risen over the past decade, according to the Resolution Foundation.
Experts agree Britain has generally become an increasingly unwell nation in recent decades, with a sharp rise in mental health problems in particular.
There are two main drivers contributing to 90% of the increase in welfare spending: an ageing population and rising caseloads for health and disability benefits.
Spending on health-related benefits for working-age adults has risen sharply in recent years, particularly since the Covid pandemic, forecasting to hit almost 76bn by 2030.
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