Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned that the current growth in disability payments is "not sustainable" with 1,000 people signing on to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) every day.
Speaking on GB News' Camilla Tominey Show, Streeting said the welfare system needs reform to bring down costs.
"We've got 1,000 people signing on to Personal Independence Payments every single day. That's not sustainable," he told viewers.
The Health Secretary indicated that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall will be announcing reform proposals "in the coming days".
Streeting told GB News that the surge in disability benefits is 'not sustainable'
GB News
He emphasised the Government's focus on ensuring those most in need receive appropriate support while helping others return to employment.
"We want to make sure that people who need the most help get the most help, and that other people who are able to work are helped back to work," Streeting said.
Streeting also expressed concerns about potential over-diagnosis of conditions like ADHD.
When pressed specifically about payments for ADHD, he said: "I think it very much depends on the nature of the condition, I think it very much depends."
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"We are looking at this whole issue of eligibility and we are looking at this whole issue of over-diagnosis, because I am concerned that we have over-diagnosis of these conditions," he added.
The Health Secretary was challenged on whether the state should fund cars for people with ADHD.
"I think that's a very good challenge and one of the reasons why we are looking at the whole issue of welfare reform," Streeting responded.
He compared challenges in the welfare system to those in the NHS, suggesting both need reform to remain financially sustainable and maintain public support. Streeting indicated that the upcoming welfare reforms will focus on long-term sustainability.
"Unless we reform the system, two things will happen," he warned.
Streeting told GB News said the Government's focus is 'getting people back to work'
GB News
"One is that it won't be sustainable in the longer term financially, and secondly, it won't command the support of the public politically as well."
The Health Secretary highlighted employment concerns as a key driver for reform: "We've got one in eight young people in this country at the moment who aren't in work. That's not a sustainable position," he said.
He noted that UK employment levels, unlike other leading economies, haven't returned to pre-pandemic levels.
"Our whole focus is getting people back to work," Streeting emphasised.
