The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is approving an average of 40 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims each day for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as the government considers introducing more rigorous testing for claimants with this condition. The Timms Review, led by Sir Stephen Timms, is examining the ballooning welfare bill and may recommend changes to how PIP is assessed for ADHD sufferers.
Rise in ADHD Claims Under Labour Government
ADHD disability benefit claims have surged under the Labour government, with over 100,000 individuals now receiving PIP for the condition. Official figures show that claims rose from 71,258 in July 2024 to 100,207 in April 2026, marking a 40% increase. Notably, four in ten PIP claimants for ADHD are receiving the top rate of daily living and mobility allowances, which amounts to £194 per week.
Timms Review Update
Sir Stephen Timms, who is conducting a review into PIP, provided an update on the welfare bill. “There may well be changes that can be made to enable PIP to do a better job to support people into employment or to stay in employment if they run into a health problem in the course of their working lives,” he said. He added: “That will certainly be one of the points we’ll be considering when we publish our recommendations, which are due in November of this year.”
Calls for Stricter ADHD Diagnosis
Former Education Secretary Lord Gove argued for a more rigorous approach to ADHD diagnosis in schools. Speaking at an event organized by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) on Monday, he said: “There are a growing number of children who are identified with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Children who are identified with anxiety and depression. In particular children who are being diagnosed with ADHD. In many of those cases, we make excuses and allowances rather than providing support and challenge. And that is particularly acute in the case of ADHD.”
Government Response
A government spokesman defended the current approach, stating: “We inherited a broken welfare system and we are fixing it - a package of measures already coming into effect will save nearly £2 billion by the end of the decade, and the Timms review, working with disabled people and their representative organisations, is looking at how to make PIP fit and fair for the future.” The spokesman also noted that the increase in PIP caseload has slowed under this government, falling from 400,000 in the 12 months to July 2024 to 270,000 in the 12 months to April 2026.
