Research reports that claims for the personal independence payment (PIP) linked to ADHD and autism among young people are rising across England, with some of the steepest increases in more affluent areas. Multiple outlets cite analysis indicating that the growth in recipient rates is not limited to deprived communities.
The Guardian attributes the pattern largely to differences in access to diagnoses, suggesting that wealthier families may secure assessments more quickly, including through private routes. The Independent, drawing on findings from the Nuffield Trust, also reports that PIP recipient rates for ADHD and autism are higher for people of white ethnicity than for other ethnic groups. Both accounts point to variability in claim patterns by geography and population characteristics rather than a single uniform national trend.
Overall, the coverage aligns on the direction of change—faster growth in certain areas after the pandemic—while differing in emphasis: one highlights diagnosis access tied to affluence, while the other stresses demographic differences alongside regional variation.
