Story perspectives

1.7 Million British Children Report Disability, Double Since 2015

3/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Department for Work and Pensions reports about 1.7 million British children, roughly one in eight, have a parent who says the child has a disability.
The figure has nearly doubled since 2015, when around 7% of parents reported concerns.
The rise is attributed to more diagnoses of behavioral issues such as autism and ADHD.
The Family Resources Survey shows nearly two-thirds of these children have social or behavioral impairments, amid gaps in a unified government definition.

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Story summary

The Department for Work and Pensions reports about 1.7 million British children, roughly one in eight, have a parent who says the child has a disability.
The figure has nearly doubled since 2015, when around 7% of parents reported concerns.
The rise is attributed to more diagnoses of behavioral issues such as autism and ADHD.
The Family Resources Survey shows nearly two-thirds of these children have social or behavioral impairments, amid gaps in a unified government definition.