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UK Delays UC Health Cuts for Under-22, Boosts Youth Guarantee

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Stephen Timms said the government delayed cuts to universal credit health benefits for claimants under 22 until September, pending a youth-employment review.
Almost one million 16- to 24-year-olds are NEET, the highest since 2014.
Incapacity benefits rose over 50 percent since the pandemic to 239,000, for mental-health or neurodevelopmental conditions.
Government allocated £2.5 bn for a youth guarantee of work placements and training and £3.5 bn for support for sick or disabled people.

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Story summary

Stephen Timms said the government delayed cuts to universal credit health benefits for claimants under 22 until September, pending a youth-employment review.
Almost one million 16- to 24-year-olds are NEET, the highest since 2014.
Incapacity benefits rose over 50 percent since the pandemic to 239,000, for mental-health or neurodevelopmental conditions.
Government allocated £2.5 bn for a youth guarantee of work placements and training and £3.5 bn for support for sick or disabled people.