A much-praised British scheme to help disabled workers is failing them
It lavishes spending on some, and unfairly deprives others
RACHEL REEVES, Britain’s chancellor, loves “working people”. She mentioned them 13 times in her budget speech in October. But like her Conservative predecessors, Ms Reeves is rather less keen on benefit recipients. The welfare bill for those on sickness and disability is expected to increase by about half in the next five years, exceeding £100bn ($123bn), or 3% of GDP, by 2030. Some suspect the generous terms are contributing to Britain’s high levels of economic inactivity.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Apple watches and wobble boards”
Britain January 11th 2025
- What Elon Musk’s tweets about sex abuse reveal about British politics
- Rolls-Royce cars pushes the pedal on customisation
- A much-praised British scheme to help disabled workers is failing them
- Britons are keener than ever to bring back lost and rare species
- The decline in remote working hits Britain’s housing market
- The phenomenon of sexual strangulation in Britain
- How means conquered ends
More from Britain
Why have Britain’s bond yields jumped sharply?
Mostly, blame Donald Trump. But Labour’s policies haven’t helped
The phenomenon of sexual strangulation in Britain
A survey suggests the risky practice is more common than you might think
The decline in remote working hits Britain’s housing market
A return to the office means a return to town
Britons are keener than ever to bring back lost and rare species
Immigrants that everyone can get behind
Rolls-Royce cars pushes the pedal on customisation
Be your own Bond villain
What Elon Musk’s tweets about sex abuse reveal about British politics
An offline prime minister faces an online leader of the opposition