Why have 100,000 people been signed off work with ADHD in the UK?

New UK government statistics show a sharp rise in disability benefit claims, with 100,207 people now claiming for ADHD as of April, up from 71,528 in July 2024, largely driven by 16-24 year-olds. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has argued this supports plans to deny benefits to those with mild mental health conditions, while disability studies lecturer Mindy Ptolomey called the focus on young ADHD claimants “disingenuous,” noting benefit money circulates back into the economy.