UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – DWP data reveals disability benefits granted for conditions like acne and writer’s cramp, raising scrutiny amid Labour’s scaled-back welfare reforms.
As reported by The Telegraph, new figures reveal that claimants with conditions such as acne and writer’s cramp have received extra disability benefits.
What did DWP data reveal about unusual benefit claims?
DWP analysis shows a steep rise in mobility benefit claims tied to an expanding list of health conditions. The department confirmed 13 people received higher-rate disability benefits for factitious disorders, conditions involving faked or self-induced symptoms.
The data reveals enhanced mobility benefits were granted to claimants citing conditions like acne (5 cases), writer’s cramp (6), and food intolerances (31).
The government announced a review of PIP after facing criticism from more than 120 Labour MPs over Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed cuts to eligibility.
How will Labour’s welfare plans affect PIP claimants?
Welfare Minister Sir Stephen Timms will lead a consultation involving disabled individuals, charities, and advocacy groups to explore possible welfare rule changes.
Labour says Britain’s welfare bill has surged, largely due to post-Covid mental health claims, prompting calls for stricter spending controls.
Under Sir Keir’s proposal, universal credit claimants with limited ability to work would have faced benefit cuts to push them into employment.
He also aimed to reduce PIP payments, which are awarded regardless of employment status and cover daily living and mobility support.
After the Labour rebellion, ministers have softened the reforms, reducing expected savings from £5bn to £2.5bn a year by the decade’s end.
Under the revised plan, existing PIP claims won’t be cancelled, with tougher criteria set to affect only new applications from November 2026.
What did the NHS say about Munchausen syndrome and the “sick role”?
The NHS defines Munchausen syndrome, a type of factitious disorder, as a condition where the patient’s primary goal is to adopt the “sick role” to gain care and become the centre of attention.
The health service’s website said,
“Some people with Munchausen syndrome may spend years travelling from hospital to hospital faking a wide range of illnesses. When it’s discovered they’re lying, they may suddenly leave the hospital and move to another area.”
What did John O’Connell say about rising health claims and taxpayer money?
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, stated,
“While England is a sicker country than it was before the pandemic, the size of the increases for many of these conditions surely cannot be believed by even the most gullible of MPs.”
He added,
“Britain is in desperate need of a politician who has the courage to tackle this system head-on to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being protected while those who genuinely need help receive it.”
What did the latest figures reveal about rising PIP claims and benefit reforms?
Labour’s new approach to benefits will reduce the number of people denied payments compared to the original government plan. The DWP predicts PIP cases will increase from 3.7 million to 5.1 million by 2029/30.
Updated figures in the Spring Statement show that Labour’s initial cuts would reduce the estimated rise in PIP claims by 423,000, but the total would still exceed current levels by about one million.
The IFS projected total savings of £4.6 billion from universal credit reforms. Yet nearly £3 billion of these savings is set to be lost, bringing total welfare savings below 0.5% of the budget.
PIP claims have increased by 55% since January 2020, with around one in seven people (13.7%) now receiving payments.
The biggest rise in PIP claims is among those with mental health conditions, with psychiatric conditions now accounting for 38% of all cases.
According to a Telegraph analysis, around 6% of young adults now claim support for mental health conditions, up from under 2% in the 2000s.
One in six adults is claiming disability benefits across the country. In Liverpool Walton, the rate surged to 17.3%, far higher than the 2.8% in Mid Buckinghamshire.
How the updated welfare rules could still push 150,000 into poverty?
New figures published on 30 June reveal that 150,000 people are expected to fall into relative poverty under the updated rules, compared to 250,000 under earlier proposals.
The officials said actual poverty levels will be reduced, highlighting that the impact assessment failed to include its £1 billion annual plan to boost employment.
While many Labour MPs plan to vote against the reforms, the Government is still expected to pass the legislation with backing from former rebels.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance revealed the rising burden of disability benefits in a new report, citing specific claims that met the criteria for the £77-a-week payment.
Labour’s welfare reforms
- PIP (Nov 2026): New claimants need 4+ points.
- Existing PIP: No change.
- UC exemptions: 200k with severe conditions spared reassessments.
- UC payments: Will rise with inflation.
- Work trial: The Disabled can try jobs without benefits.
- Job support: £300m extra in 2025.
- Total aid: £2.8bn over 4 years.
- Pathways Program: Job help for the disabled.
- UC increase: £725 more/year by 2029.
- Top-up cut: Drops to £50/week in 2026.