Dozens more new disability claims in Worksop and Retford – as number doubles nationally

The figures come as a shadow minister says the Government “can’t ignore" the growing backlog in disability assessments.

The personal independent payment is awarded to people with long-term physical or mental conditions, in order to help them continue with everyday tasks.

Analysis of Department and Work and Pensions figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank shows the number of new claimants in Bassetlaw rose from 26 in July 2021 to 83 in July 2022.

Across England and Wales, the number of new PIP claimants doubled over this period, from 14,800 to 32,200.

The IFS said worsening health was likely behind the rise and there had been an increase across every age group and for most major conditions.

Nationally, about a third of new claims were for mental or behavioural conditions, with the proportion rising to 70 per cent among those aged under 25.

More recent figures show 6,562 were entitled to PIP in Bassetlaw as of July – putting them among 2.7 million people entitled to the benefit across England and Wales.

The IFS also found more than 250,000 people were waiting to have their disability claims assessed as of July.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: ministers “can’t ignore these findings”.

“The backlog in assessments for disability benefits must be tackled and employment support must be reformed to offer specialist help to those who want to find work,” he said.