Alan Milburn Proposes Radical UK Welfare Overhaul for Under-25s
Alan Milburn recommends removing sickness and disability benefits for people under 25 to prioritize long-term employment support over immediate financial payments.
Former health secretary Alan Milburn has proposed a radical overhaul of the United Kingdom welfare system for claimants under 25. Commissioned by the government to review the status of one million people not in employment, education, or training, Milburn recommends removing access to main sickness and disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment and the health element of Universal Credit.
Under the proposal, young claimants would instead receive a basic youth allowance paid at the standard Universal Credit rate, potentially supplemented by an additional cost allowance. Milburn argues the current system traps young people in poverty by prioritizing short-term finances over long-term life chances. To facilitate the transition, he recommends investing billions into employment support, including personal advisers, coaching, and job subsidies, while introducing consequences for those who fail to engage with these services.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to back the reforms, which the government intends to implement in 2027. However, the plan has faced criticism from Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who opposes cutting benefits for existing claimants. Additionally, the charity Sense warned that without proper funding for specialist employment support, young disabled people could lose out during the transition.
