UK Government Weighs Extending Youth Welfare Reform to Older Adults

Downing Street is considering whether plans to replace key disability benefits with work and training for people under 25 should be expanded to older working-age adults. Cabinet ministers are looking at applying a participation-first approach across all working ages, which involves investing in workplace entry support while cutting or removing certain disability benefits. This potential policy shift follows upcoming recommendations from adviser Alan Milburn on youth welfare and a review into disability benefits. While proponents argue the core problems of workplace detachment affect all ages, the proposal risks reigniting tensions and could face a backlash from Labour backbenchers concerned about the impact on disabled individuals.