The number of people claiming Universal Credit on health grounds has climbed to a record 3.5 million, according to new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures published today.
Health-related Universal Credit caseload increased by 34 per cent over the past year, highlighting the growing proportion of claimants receiving support because of illness or disability.
The data also reveals a sharp rise in the number of people deemed not to have any work-related requirements.
That group grew by 831,000 over the past 12 months, taking the total to 2.8 million claimants who are not required to look for work or prepare for employment.
Health-related claims now account for 42 per cent of all Universal Credit cases, compared with 34 per cent a year earlier.
Mental health conditions were recorded in 71 per cent of new health-related Universal Credit claims. The figures also show notable trends across age groups and genders.
Women account for 53 per cent of people receiving health-related Universal Credit.
People aged over 50 make up 43 per cent of the total health-related caseload. The statistics highlight significant regional differences across Great Britain.
Universal Credit health claims hit 3.5 million as DWP data reveals sharp rise in incapacity benefits
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Scotland recorded the highest proportion of Universal Credit recipients claiming on health grounds, with 51 per cent of cases falling into that category.
The North East of England followed closely behind, with health-related claims accounting for 47 per cent of Universal Credit recipients.
At local authority level, Inverclyde recorded the highest proportion, with 58 per cent of claimants receiving Universal Credit because of health conditions.
London recorded the lowest proportion in England, with 35 per cent of Universal Credit recipients claiming on health grounds.
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Lee Anderson said the benefits bill was spiralling out of control
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The figures cover Great Britain up to March 2026 and illustrate substantial geographical variation in the prevalence of health-related benefit claims.
Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson said the figures raised concerns about the scale of welfare dependency, saying, "these figures are utter absurdity and show a welfare system spinning out of control.
"Millions are now parked on incapacity benefits, with a growing number effectively written off from work altogether."
Mr Anderson said support should remain available for people who are genuinely ill or vulnerable.
He argued, however, that the increase in claims, particularly those linked to mental health conditions, raised questions about how assessments are carried out.
Mr Anderson added: "Reform UK would end automatic write-offs, restore proper face-to-face assessments, and get Britain working again."
Labour said much of the increase reflected changes to the benefits system rather than a surge in new claimants.
A DWP spokesman said: "Nearly three quarters, 72 per cent, of the increase in Universal Credit Health caseload from the past year is because of the decision taken by the last Government to move sick and disabled people onto Universal Credit from legacy benefits, not from new benefit recipients."
The department said it was continuing to invest in programmes designed to help disabled people and those with long-term health conditions enter employment.
The spokesman added: "We're investing £3.5billion to help disabled people and those with long-term conditions into work, giving disabled people the right to try work without risking their benefits, and reforming Universal Credit to remove perverse incentives that keep people on benefits."