Labour MPs urge welfare safeguards as Burnham weighs under-25s reform
Andy Burnham is facing warnings from Labour MPs over possible welfare reforms that could remove the health element of Universal Credit from some disabled people under 25. The proposal would replace payments of £217 a month for people with less severe conditions with intensive employment support, including subsidised jobs and help with mental health. MPs say changes must preserve an adequate safety net, amid memories of the backlash that forced Keir Starmer to abandon disability benefit cuts in 2025.
The Government is also considering changes to Personal Independence Payment after two reviews, but the Department for Work and Pensions said it would not pre-empt their findings and insisted support would remain for people unable to work. The article cites Policy Exchange figures showing 915,000 under-16s receive Child Disability Living Allowance, up from 314,000 in 2010; annual spending was £5.3 billion last year and is forecast to reach £8.3 billion by 2030. The think-tank links much of the growth to increased claims for mental health conditions since the pandemic.
- Labour MPs warn against disability benefit cuts for under-25s.
- Proposed reforms would replace some payments with work support.
- Child disability benefit spending is forecast to reach £8.3 billion by 2030.
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The government is considering changes to welfare support for young disabled people under 25. Andy Burnham is examining proposals that would alter Universal Credit (a key state benefit) by removing the health-related element for those with less severe disabilities and replacing it with employment support such as subsidised jobs and mental health assistance.
Several Labour MPs have raised concerns, warning that any changes must maintain an adequate safety net for vulnerable young people. Their caution reflects the experience of 2025, when Prime Minister Keir Starmer was forced to abandon disability benefit cuts following a significant public backlash.
The proposals reflect growing welfare costs. Numbers of young people receiving disability support have climbed significantly, particularly claims for mental health conditions since the pandemic. Annual spending is currently £5.3 billion and is forecast to reach £8.3 billion by 2030.
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The case for
The Government's case emphasises that disability claims—particularly for mental health—have grown significantly since 2010, suggesting scope for more targeted support. For young people with less severe conditions, intensive employment support, subsidised jobs and mental health assistance could offer a more empowering and sustainable path than long-term passive welfare. This reflects a reasonable belief that work supports wellbeing and independence; active labour market policies combined with transitional support may help young people become self-sufficient rather than welfare-dependent.
The case against
Labour MPs rightly note that the Government abandoned similar disability cuts last year following public backlash, signalling real harm from removing safety nets. Mental health disabilities are genuine barriers to employment; simply withdrawing £217 monthly payments whilst hoping employment support succeeds creates a dangerous cliff-edge for vulnerable young people. Income support and employment assistance should complement rather than replace each other; withdrawing reliable income removes a crucial foundation precisely when people need support most.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Andy Burnham warned by his own MPs not to repeat Keir Starmer’s mistakes as Government prepares to remove key disability benefit from under-25s as part of back-to-work strategy”.