One in 10 secondary school pupils are now receiving disability benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). A total of 362,520 individuals aged between 11 and 15 are being granted disability living allowance (DLA) from the DWP in England and Wales, including those diagnosed with autism and ADHD.

This equates to 10% of children within this age bracket receiving an annual sum ranging from £1,520 to £9,770, as reported by the Telegraph. Data reveals that disability claims awarded to secondary school pupils surged by 42,140 in the year leading up to February alone.

Among all children under the age of 16, claims reached a record high of 797,773 in February. Eduin Latimer from the IFS described the trend as "fiscally challenging" for the Labour Party government.

Will Shield, asso

See Full Page