Some under-25s should get less benefits, Milburn review to say
A review led by former Labour minister Alan Milburn will recommend moving under-25s off main sickness and disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments and the health element of Universal Credit. The interim report, due next week, proposes replacing those payments with a new youth allowance paid at the standard Universal Credit rate. Milburn acknowledged the change would mean some young people losing out financially. MPs are scheduled to debate the findings shortly after publication.
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- ✓ The Milburn review will recommend moving under-25s off main sickness and disability benefits including Personal Independence Payments and the health element of Universal Credit.
- ✓ A new youth allowance paid at the standard Universal Credit rate would replace those benefits for young people.
- ✓ Alan Milburn acknowledged to the BBC that the changes would mean some young people losing out on benefits.
- ✓ MPs will hold a debate on the interim report findings after its publication next week.
What changed
The BBC and The Times confirm the review's central recommendation to remove under-25s from main sickness benefits and create a youth allowance, with Milburn himself acknowledging benefit losses in a BBC interview.
Live updates
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Milburn review proposes cutting benefits for under-25s
A review led by former Labour minister Alan Milburn will recommend moving under-25s off main sickness and disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments and the health element of Universal Credit. The interim report, due next week, proposes replacing those payments with a new youth allowance paid at the standard Universal Credit rate. Milburn acknowledged the change would mean some young people losing out financially. MPs are scheduled to debate the findings shortly after publication.
Why it matters
The review addresses a sharp rise in young people classified as NEET, not in education, employment or training, and a surge in disability benefit claims among under-25s. Government ministers commissioned the report to overhaul welfare incentives and boost youth employment. Disability charities and opposition voices warn that cutting support could deepen poverty for vulnerable young adults with genuine health conditions.
What is confirmed
- The Milburn review will recommend moving under-25s off main sickness and disability benefits including Personal Independence Payments and the health element of Universal Credit.
- A new youth allowance paid at the standard Universal Credit rate would replace those benefits for young people.
- Alan Milburn acknowledged to the BBC that the changes would mean some young people losing out on benefits.
- MPs will hold a debate on the interim report findings after its publication next week.
Still unconfirmed
- Existing claimants as well as new applicants would lose entitlement to PIP and the health element of Universal Credit.
What to watch next
- Publication of the full interim report next week
- Parliamentary debate on the review's findings
- Government response on whether it will adopt the recommendations
confidence 88%Sources used for this update (17)
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- BBC — Some under-25s should get less benefits, Milburn review to say
- The Telegraph — Young people to be stripped of main disability benefits
- The Guardian — ‘I just got AI emails rejecting my application – or no reply at all’: this is the soul-crushing reality of being a Neet
- Resolution Foundation — Can Milburn rise to the scale of Britain’s NEETs challenge?
- UK Parliament — MPs to hold a debate on the findings of the Milburn Review into Young people and work: interim report.
- LabourList — ‘Don’t forget who is to blame for the NEETs crisis’
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