Figure 1. Trends in spending on working-age adult and child welfare benefits, as a share of GDP, 1978-2025

Spending on working-age adult & child welfare benefits as a share of GDP (%)

Note: Disability/caring-related spending includes disability benefits (e.g. PIP), incapacity benefits (e.g. people receiving UC LCWRA, and including the standard allowance component for consistency with ESA), carers benefits (e.g. Carer's Allowance), children's disability benefits (e.g. PIP), and housing benefits for disability-related claims. Figures for 2025/26 are forecasts.
Source: Authors' analysis of DWP Benefit and Expenditure Tables, Spring Forecast 2026. Get the data