New research from the Nuffield Trust has identified a counterintuitive pattern in disability benefit claims among young people in England. While personal independence payment (Pip) claims for ADHD and autism have traditionally been highest in deprived areas with lower educational outcomes and higher poverty rates, the fastest growth in recent years has occurred in some of the country’s most prosperous regions.
Specific examples highlight this trend: Surrey Heath experienced a 630% increase in Pip claims for autism and ADHD since 2019, while relatively deprived towns such as Mansfield and Great Yarmouth saw increases of 30% and 50% respectively. Other affluent areas showing sharp growth include Wokingham, Warwick, Hampshire, and Runnymede. The researchers attribute this pattern to disparities in access to diagnostic services, with wealthier families able to bypass lengthy NHS waiting lists through private clinical assessments.
The research also identified demographic variations in claims patterns. Pip claim rates for ADHD and autism proved higher among white people than other ethnic groups, with ethnically diverse areas such as Newham, Brent, and Leicester showing lower than expected claims. Notably, this phenomenon appears unique to ADHD and autism diagnoses, with no similar trends observed in learning disability, depression, anxiety, or physical conditions.
The broader context shows significant growth in young people claiming Pip for neurodivergent conditions. Approximately 205,000 individuals aged 16 to 24 received Pip for ADHD or autism-related disabilities in April, representing a more than threefold increase since 2019 at an annual cost of £1.36bn in 2025-26. The average individual claim was £8,800 per year. This expansion has generated political debate regarding the sustainability of working-age disability benefits spending, which forecasts suggest will rise from £14bn in 2019 to £34bn in 2030.
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