Reform proposes a cut to mental health benefits

By Iain McLean

Lee Anderson, Reform MP for Ashfield, stated at a Westminster Reform conference that under a Reform Government, anxiety will not be included in disability benefits.

Anderson claimed that those claiming PIP or Personal Independence Payment for anxiety disorders were “gaming the system” and removing them from PIP payments could save £9bn a year.

 He claimed that in his time as an MP he personally had assisted constituents with this process.

Anderson continued with the claims that the system for applying for PIP was being manipulated. He claimed he had seen videos online that were tutorials on how to get more entitlement.

Zia Yusuf, the former chair of Reform said: “We are betraying our young people.

“Reassessments are basically not happening anymore. These young people are being labelled. They’re being basically tossed on a scrap heap for the rest of their lives. There’s nothing about that we are remotely willing to accept.”

This comes after their continuous vocal campaign to get more people off PIP and back into the workplace.

Scottish government debate chamber - Getty Images

The party began to put forward their proposed plans for a welfare reform in September 2025 they claim they could save billions through cuts to the welfare budget.

In the party’s official policy ‘contract’ published online, they state that those claiming PIP should have face to face assessments to prove eligibility.

 Those with severe disabilities will be exempt from these regular checks.

The party claims that the main drive behind a major welfare reform is to “motivate up to 2 million people back to work.”

Mental health benefits have been under more scrutiny since the Government’s Spring Statement from 2025.

Nigel Farage at 2025 Reform press conference - Getty Images

The data released in the statement showed that the number of people claiming benefits due to mental health related reasons has increased by almost 800,000 since 2019.

The Centre for Mental Health has previously released statements in response to Reforms proposed plans they said: “They (Reform) will do nothing to raise living standards or help more people into Employment.

 “Evidence shows that when governments tighten benefit rules, people’s mental health gets worse. If more people fall into poverty, both the prevalence and severity of mental health is likely to rise.”