{"id":128084,"date":"2026-11-02T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=128084"},"modified":"2026-11-02T13:00:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T13:00:36","slug":"dwp-breaks-silence-on-child-dla-after-calls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/dwp-breaks-silence-on-child-dla-after-calls\/","title":{"rendered":"DWP Breaks Silence on Child DLA After Calls To Cut Benefits for Three Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The dispute centres on a Policy Exchange report<\/strong> proposing tighter eligibility rules for children with mental health conditions, learning difficulties and neurodevelopmental conditions. Two members of the Timms Review steering group have taken opposing positions, although the review itself focuses on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rather than child DLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proposed Child DLA Cuts Could Save \u00a311.9 Billion Over Four Years<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jean-Andr\u00e9 Prager, a member of the Timms Review steering group and former adviser to three Conservative prime ministers, co-authored the Policy Exchange research with Keir Haldane in October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Disability News Service<\/a>, the report proposes restricting child DLA eligibility for three fast-growing categories of conditions, potentially reducing expenditure by \u00a311.9 billion over four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research states that the number of children receiving DLA in England and Wales increased from 314,000 in 2010 to 915,000 in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policy Exchange modelled changes that would limit acceptance levels to 50%, 40% or 30% of existing levels for the selected categories, alongside returning average awards to pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under its most restrictive scenario, the research estimates gross savings of \u00a34.5 billion in 2030\/31. Of that amount, \u00a31.5 billion would be redirected towards services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, family hubs and parental support programmes. The remaining \u00a33 billion would contribute towards reducing government expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposals have attracted criticism because child DLA <\/a>is awarded according to individual care and mobility needs rather than diagnosis alone. The benefit provides non-means-tested financial assistance to families caring for disabled children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many parents think they can\u2019t get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for their child when they actually can.

DLA isn\u2019t just for physical disabilities. It also covers behavioural, mental health and learning conditions.

Find out more here\u2935\ufe0fhttps:\/\/t.co\/zAlpy49iui<\/a>#DLA<\/a> #Croydon<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mXxlmoTYfl<\/a><\/p>— Citizens Advice Croydon (@CroydonCAB) October 30, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>