A new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found that the rise in health-related benefit claims in the UK is largely down to changing health trends, rather than a rise in disability. The research, which analysed data from 2013 to 2020, suggests that the UK population is becoming less healthy over time.
The IFS found that the number of working-age people claiming health-related benefits has increased by 30% since 2013, with the majority of this increase due to people claiming benefits for conditions such as obesity, mental health issues, and musculoskeletal disorders.
The report's authors argue that this trend is driven by a range of factors, including a rise in obesity, an increase in mental health problems, and a growing population of older workers who are more likely to experience health problems.
The findings have significant implications for the UK's social security system, with the IFS warning that the rise in health-related benefit claims could put pressure on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) budget.
The report also highlights the need for policymakers to take a more proactive approach to promoting public health and reducing health inequalities, in order to reduce the number of people claiming health-related benefits.