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Under-25s account for nearly one in three people who started claiming PIP for anxiety in the last two years

Under-25s account for nearly one in three people who started claiming PIP for anxiety in the last two years

Some 7,403 of the 24,681 recent anxiety claimants in England and Wales are aged just 16 to 24. Another 5,445 are aged 25 to 34, meaning more than half of new claimants for anxiety have yet to reach 35. Only 438 are 65 or over. Labour is under mounting pressure to overhaul welfare and get more young people back into work.

In total, 72,195 people claimed PIP for an anxiety disorder as of July 31, 2026.

The conditions covered include panic disorder and social phobia, a fear of social situations.

Royal College of Psychiatrists' Dr Jed Boardman warned the figures may not tell the full story.

MoreiNewsThe young people most likely to lose their benefitsLBCYoung people make up largest proportion of recent Pip claimants for anxietyThe SunOne in three people claiming PIP for anxiety are teenagers and young peopleWilts and Gloucestershire StandardPIP review as thousands of young people claim DWP benefits for anxiety - Wilts and Gloucestershire StandardThe Northern EchoPIP review warning as thousands of young people claim disability benefit for anxiety - The Northern EchoYahooYoung people in UK largest proportion of welfare claimants for anxietyAndover AdvertiserYoung people make up biggest share of recent PIP claims
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