The Times has revealed that more than half of Labour MPs have a greater number of disability benefit claimants in their constituency than the size of their electoral majority. Some 58 per cent of Labour’s 366 seats in England and Wales have more people claiming personal independence payments (Pip) than Labour’s majority. Pat McFadden –Secretary of State for Work and pensions – is one of those MPs. And, more than 100 Labour MPs have more individuals specifically claiming Pip for mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety, ADHD and autism) than their majorities. Is it any wonder that Labour MPs are expected to again revolt over plans to reform – however modestly – disability benefits?

The spiralling welfare bill risks bankrupting the country. And the electoral arithmetic is terrifying

The spiralling welfare bill risks bankrupting the country. And the electoral arithmetic is terrifying

Let us remind ourselves of the startling statistics: 4.1 million people (of which 3.4 million are working age) are currently claiming Pip in this country. The benefit is not means-tested and is worth up to £194 a week, or over £10,000 a year (tax-free). The largest category of claimants (39 per cent) are now those citing mental health afflictions and over over half a million people receive Pip primarily for anxiety, stress and ‘mixed anxiety and depressive disorders’ (let us save for another day the role doctors are playing in all of this). Never has it been more true that the UK has become a welfare state with a country........

© The Spectator