One in eight parents now say their child has a disability, with new data suggesting behavioural issues are a key factor behind rising welfare costs in Britain.
Around 12 per cent of children—approximately 1.7 million—are living with a long-term illness, disability or impairment, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This marks a sharp increase from 2015, when about 7 per cent of parents reported having a child with a disability, based on the department’s closely monitored Family Resources Survey (FRS).
The rise coincides with a growing number of young people being diagnosed with behavioural conditions, as well as autism and ADHD. The FRS found that nearly two-thirds of children with a disability were reported to have a “social” or “behavioural” impairment, making it the most commonly cited issue.
However, there is no single government definition of “behavioural disorders,” making it difficult to identify specific conditions. Experts point to examples such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), which involves persistent defiance, anger and refusal to follow instructions, and conduct disorder, a more severe and often more aggressive condition typically identified in teenagers.
The survey, one of the most comprehensive studies of living standards in Britain, also found that around 2.8 million adults and children now experience social or behavioural issues that significantly affect daily life. This represents a 40 per cent increase from a decade ago, highlighting the growing impact of mental health on welfare spending.
According to the data, 5.5 million people who identified as disabled reported having mental health conditions, while 7.7 million cited mobility issues.
Spending on child health and disability benefits is projected to rise from £5.3 billion this year to £8.3 billion by the early 2030s, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
Although Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms is currently reviewing the system, changes to children’s benefits are not expected. Meanwhile, a separate review led by Alan Milburn will explore broader challenges facing young people, including barriers to education and employment.
Separate DWP figures show that £1.2 billion was spent last year on disability benefits supporting families—primarily parents—of children with behavioural conditions. By comparison, £2.37 billion was spent on children with learning difficulties, though this area has seen slower growth than spending related to behavioural issues.
A DWP spokesperson said that while 12 per cent of children in the survey were described by parents as having a disability, this does not directly align with Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claims. They added that demand for Child DLA is rising, which prompted the launch of an independent review into how the system supports mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, aiming to ensure both children and adults receive appropriate help.