Disabled young people, especially those living with mental health or neurodiversity issues, are currently being demonised by the media and targeted by the government for potential cuts in benefits. A review taking place now gives young people and their parents and carers the opportunity to challenge the relentless negativity.
One of the proposals in the Pathways to Work Green paper was to delay access to the UC health element until age 22, meaning that younger people would not be eligible. The claim is that this would make it less likely that young people would be trapped in a life on benefits. The proposal is pencilled in for 2027/28.
Not entirely coincidentally, in November 2025 Alan Milburn was commissioned to write a report on young people and work, looking in particular at why so many young people are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), including those claiming health and disability benefits.
The Milburn review has now called for evidence from the public, including:
- young disabled people and people with health conditions
- young people with lived experience of not being in employment, education, or training
- parents and carers for young people
The review is looking for answers to two questions:
1. What is stopping more young people from participating in employment, education or training?
2. What would make the biggest difference to support more young people to participate?
Among the issues the review is interested in hearing about are:
- changes in health trends (particularly mental health and neuro-developmental conditions)
- the benefits and employment support systems
- the changing nature of the labour market and work
- any changes in the aspirations and attitudes of young people and employers
The closing date for submissions, which can be made by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is Friday 30 January.
If you don’t agree that young people with mental health and neuro-developmental conditions are all TikTok trained blaggers who should be prevented from getting the health element of UC and instead forced into working in the hospitality and construction industries, then please take the time to respond to the consultation.
More information on the Milburn consultation is available here.
