Labour ditches ban on under-22s claiming incapacity benefits after backlash but cuts cash for young claimants

Labour has abandoned a proposed ban on incapacity benefit claims by under-22s after facing substantial political pushback, though the government is continuing with a wider overhaul that would leave young claimants with less money. Under proposals from Alan Milburn's review, under-25s could have the health component of universal credit replaced by a new employment and health support scheme. The shake-up aims to address the close to one million 16- to 24-year-olds who are currently outside education, work or training.

Milburn's final report is reportedly being pushed back to November so it does not clash with the Budget.

A Times undercover investigation has found landlords boasting of making £2.5m a year from social housing paid for by councils 'desperate' to house vulnerable people.