An independent review into the rapidly increasing demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services has been commissioned by the government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the move, stating the investigation must use a "strictly clinical lens" to understand the trends.
Post-Pandemic Surge in Benefit Claims
The review comes in response to stark new analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The figures reveal that more than half of the increase in disability benefit claimants among 16 to 64-year-olds since the pandemic is linked to mental health or behavioural conditions.
Currently, a total of 1.3 million people claim disability benefits primarily for these reasons. This group represents a significant 44% of all claimants, highlighting the scale of the issue facing the NHS and support services.
Scrutiny of Diagnosis Rates and Access
Leading the review will be Professor Peter Fonagy, a prominent clinical psychologist and the national clinical adviser on children and young people's mental health. His team, comprising academics, doctors, epidemiological experts, charities, and parents, will examine several critical areas.
The investigation will focus on:
- The factors driving the steep rise in demand for assessments and support.
- Potential inequalities in who can access services.
- The rates of diagnosis for conditions like ADHD and autism.
The Department of Health provided a striking statistic to underscore the pressure on services: in September 2025, 13 times more people were waiting for an autism assessment compared to April 2019.
Funding and Political Context
Alongside the review, the government has allocated an extra £688 million to mental health services. This funding is intended to hire 8,500 more mental health workers, expand talking therapies, and increase the number of mental health emergency departments.
Mr. Streeting, who has previously expressed concern about potential "overdiagnosis," framed the review as essential for ensuring accurate and timely support. "I know from personal experience how devastating it can be for people who face poor mental health, have ADHD or autism, and can't get a diagnosis or the right support," he stated.
Professor Fonagy emphasised the need for a rigorous approach: "This review will only be worthwhile if it is built on solid ground. We will examine the evidence with care to understand, in a grounded way, what is driving rising demand."
The findings of this comprehensive review are expected to be published in the summer of 2026.
