New Government estimates, analysed by mobility experts at BMAS, revealed 16.1 million people in the UK had a disability in 2022/23. That’s almost a quarter of the total population.
In Wales, the percentage of people in Blaenau Gwent who claimed disability benefits was higher than anywhere else in the country at 19% – in fact, that’s more than anywhere else in Great Britain.
The data revealed 2,408 claimed Attendance Allowance, 2,231 Disability Living Allowance, and 8,111 Personal Independence Payment.
Neath Port Talbot came second with 18.7% of the population claiming a disability benefit, and Merthyr Tydfil third with 18.4%.
Caerphilly and Torfaen rounded out the top 5 with 17.5% and 16.5% respectively.
At the other end of the table, the BMAS analysis revealed Monmouthshire and Cardiff had the lowest percentage of claimants, both with 10.9%.
Gwynedd came second, followed by Powys, Ceredigion, Flintshire, and Vale of Glamorgan with 11.5%, 11.7%, 11.8%, 12.2%, and 12.2% respectively.
Prime Minister Kier Starmer has said the current benefits system was “unsustainable” and “the worst of all worlds”, discouraging people from working while producing a “spiralling bill”.
The BBC report that restrictions on eligibility for the Personal Independent Payment could be announced in the coming days.
Cuts to incapacity benefits for people unable to work and receiving Universal Credit are also thought to be announced shortly.
The Department of Work and Pensions say 2.8 million people are not in work due to ill-health, with the government spending £65bn a year on sickness benefits – a figure forecast to hit £70bn by 2030.
| LA name | Attendance Allowance | Disability Living Allowance | Personal Independence Payment | Mid-2022 population estimate | % of pop. claiming a disability benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaenau Gwent | 2,408 | 2,231 | 8,111 | 66,960 | 19.0% |
| Neath Port Talbot | 5,736 | 5,099 | 15,752 | 142,204 | 18.7% |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 1,785 | 2,198 | 6,855 | 58,881 | 18.4% |
| Caerphilly | 6,539 | 5,637 | 18,712 | 176,131 | 17.5% |
| Torfaen | 3,426 | 2,680 | 9,201 | 92,863 | 16.5% |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 7,980 | 7,460 | 23,770 | 239,235 | 16.4% |
| Denbighshire | 4,188 | 2,771 | 8,569 | 96,602 | 16.1% |
| Bridgend | 5,623 | 4,370 | 13,166 | 146,135 | 15.8% |
| Carmarthenshire | 8,148 | 5,041 | 16,343 | 189,148 | 15.6% |
| Swansea | 9,289 | 6,576 | 21,342 | 242,039 | 15.4% |
| Conwy | 5,437 | 2,780 | 8,505 | 114,303 | 14.6% |
| Wrexham | 4,623 | 3,631 | 10,295 | 135,389 | 13.7% |
| Pembrokeshire | 4,857 | 2,748 | 9,105 | 124,365 | 13.4% |
| Isle of Anglesey | 2,843 | 1,569 | 4,710 | 69,070 | 13.2% |
| Newport | 5,040 | 3,644 | 12,625 | 161,565 | 13.2% |
| Vale of Glamorgan | 4,875 | 2,799 | 8,680 | 133,619 | 12.2% |
| Flintshire | 5,081 | 3,530 | 10,365 | 155,334 | 12.2% |
| Ceredigion | 2,785 | 1,293 | 4,377 | 71,873 | 11.8% |
| Powys | 5,229 | 2,356 | 8,091 | 133,874 | 11.7% |
| Gwynedd | 4,639 | 2,127 | 6,756 | 117,997 | 11.5% |
| Cardiff | 8,906 | 6,615 | 24,944 | 371,104 | 10.9% |
| Monmouthshire | 3,462 | 1,553 | 5,201 | 93,985 | 10.9% |
Amelia Hornsby from BMAS who analysed the benefits data, said: “Many people face challenges in their daily lives and having a disability, or needing support is nothing to be ashamed of.
“It takes great strength and courage to reach out and ask for support. Asking for help is a positive step, it’s not a burden, and people shouldn’t hesitate to ask for assistance.
“I urge anyone who needs support to reach out to the relevant organisations, charities, or advisors for advice if they feel they could do with support.
“Nobody should ever feel alone in these situations.”
(Lead image: Pexels)
