Sheffield MP Clive Betts says drug abusers are given benefits while those with serious conditions are rejected
“I’ve complained about young lads in their 20s driving around in motability cars, and someone in the community is paid to fill the forms in for them”
People abusing drugs and alcohol are getting disability benefits while those with “really serious conditions” are being rejected, a Sheffield MP has claimed.
Clive Betts, deputy chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, called for the Government to take a “real look” at the conditions people are using to apply for personal independence payments (Pip).
It comes as Sir Stephen Timms published an interim report on the disability benefits system, saying it needs “fundamental change” as costs rise significantly.
Pip is intended to help with everyday tasks and extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
Spending has roughly doubled since 2019 to around £26 billion in 2024/25. It is expected to exceed £41 billion by the end of the decade.
Addressing the Commons on Thursday, Mr Betts (Sheffield South East) described Sir Stephen’s review as a “very challenging piece”.
He said: “I think the theme of fairness for the people needing benefits and fairness for the taxpayers is right.
“The Link Community centre in my constituency in Stradbroke, where they’re saying there are people there with mental health conditions claiming Pip, who have actually got drug abuse and alcohol abuse conditions, and they’re using Pip to fund those conditions.”
He added: “I’ve complained about young lads in their 20s driving around in motability cars, and someone in the community is paid to fill the forms in for them.
“On the other hand, I have so many constituents with really serious conditions who get turned down for Pip and can only get it if they struggle through the appeal system, sometimes without any help at all.
“So the system isn’t there to help anyone at present.”
Sir Stephen responded: “I think he’s right. The system at present does not work properly for disabled people, and neither does it give confidence to taxpayers that the funding is being well used.
“We’re determined to turn things around and to be fair to both.”
Later in the session, Sir Stephen said the Government will not be moving away from the “vital” provision of cash “to meet the additional costs of disability”.
However, he did suggest some people could benefit from alternative services, as opposed to cash payments.
It came in response to Conservative MP Joe Robertson (Isle of Wight East) who said: “A system of cash payments to some people with conditions such as ADHD – half of the claimants are between the age of 16 to 24 – is not what they need most.”
He argued the “money would be best saved” and invested in health and community services.
The number of claimants with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) has almost quadrupled in six years, according to Press Association analysis.
Sir Stephen replied: “The steering group is clear that provision of cash to meet the additional costs of disability is absolutely vital, and we’re not going to be moving away from the importance of that.
“But I think there is a question about whether the process can also point people towards help that may well be valuable to them in addition to, or some cases perhaps instead of a cash payment.”
Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who is now the independent MP for Islington North, asked whether Sir Stephen’s review would result in “some form of cash limiting of Pip”, to ease pressure on the Exchequer.
The minister replied his review team must “stay within the currently projected” spending, as forecasted by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) watchdog.
“There isn’t a sort-of a cash limit but one can project what the spending is going to be, and the steering group is constrained to stick within the currently predicted spending,” Sir Stephen added.