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Tories pledge to cut benefits for children with ‘milder cases’ of ADHD
The Conservatives have pledged to save £2.8bn a year by limiting Disability Living Allowance for children with behavioural disorders, learning difficulties or ADHD to those with the highest needs. The party says the change would help reduce welfare spending and prevent children being placed on a path towards long-term benefit reliance; Labour argues it would push families into hardship and could cost the state more.
Child DLA currently pays between £30.30 and £194.60 a week to help with the extra costs of raising a disabled child. The Conservatives say claims have risen from 521,476 in 2020 to 914,000, and estimate that about 70% of affected claimants would lose payments, while around 30% would keep them; the party proposes £1bn for mental health services and family hubs. The changes would apply to new claims and reassessments, with children with physical disabilities exempt, as part of wider proposed welfare savings of £36bn.
In short
- Conservatives propose £2.8bn in annual savings from child DLA changes.
- Around 70% of affected claimants could lose cash payments.
- The party proposes £1bn for mental health services and family hubs.
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The case for
The Conservatives’ strongest case is that disability support should be focused on children with the greatest additional needs, while rapid growth in claims makes the current system harder to sustain. They argue that limiting eligibility could reduce welfare spending and discourage long-term reliance on benefits, while directing some savings to mental health services and family hubs may offer broader support to children and families.
The case against
The strongest case against the proposal is that behavioural and learning conditions can create substantial extra costs even when a child’s needs do not meet a new, higher threshold. Removing support from many families could cause hardship and leave needs unmet; critics also argue that the resulting pressure on families and public services could outweigh any savings.
Explained simply
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a weekly payment to help with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child. It is not means-tested, and the amount depends on how much help a child needs with care or getting around.
The Conservatives say they would limit DLA for children with ADHD, learning difficulties or behavioural disorders to those with the highest needs. They say claims have risen sharply and propose spending some of the savings on mental health services and family hubs. The changes would apply to new claims and reassessments, while children with physical disabilities would be exempt.
The issue matters because families may rely on DLA to meet costs linked to a child’s care. The Conservatives say tighter eligibility would reduce welfare spending and discourage long-term reliance on benefits; Labour says it could cause hardship and increase costs elsewhere.