Recent Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data reveals a sharp increase in Universal Credit sickness claims linked to mental health conditions. As of November 2025, over 1.3 million claimants cited mental health as the reason they cannot work, marking a 17% rise from the previous year’s figure of 1.15 million.
In total, health-related Universal Credit claims reached 3.14 million in December 2025, a staggering 48% increase from 2.12 million in December 2024. This growth means more than three million people are currently considered too unwell to seek employment—a dramatic jump from approximately 380,000 in December 2019.
Mental and behavioural disorders account for 71% of these health-related claims. Among those assessed as having limited capability for work, this proportion rises to 91%, highlighting the significant impact of psychological conditions on work capability. Conversely, 52% of claimants judged fit for work also report mental health issues.
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The health enhancement to Universal Credit provides £424 monthly, totaling up to £5,097 annually. However, Lee Anderson of Reform UK has called for the DWP to implement stricter controls on benefit payments, urging a crackdown on what he describes as a system allowing millions of working-age individuals to be written off and reliant on state support.
In response, a DWP spokesperson confirmed plans to reform the welfare system amid escalating costs. The government is focusing on reducing benefit fraud and error, while also deploying an additional 1,000 work coaches to better assist sick and disabled claimants—a group that reportedly lacked sufficient support under previous administrations.
“The system we inherited was broken. We’re removing disincentives to work and providing proper help for those genuinely unable to find employment,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing the government’s commitment to curbing welfare expenditure and encouraging employment where possible.