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Milburn review reportedly to advise moving under-25s off sickness and disability benefits

Reports say the review will recommend the shift, while Downing Street considers whether to extend it to older age groups.

Published Nov 13, 2026 · 19:49 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • Alan Milburn's year-long review, due for publication on Tuesday, is reported to recommend moving under-25s off the main sickness and disability benefits.[BBC News]
  • Just under one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training, according to ONS data for April to June, a 3% rise on last year.[BBC News]
  • Milburn told the Guardian his proposals would create 440,000 employment and education opportunities by 2036, though some estimates put their cost at around £6bn.[The Guardian]
  • Downing Street is considering whether to extend the plans to older working-age groups, a move that could reignite Labour tensions over welfare.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • Alan Milburn's year-long government-commissioned review is due for publication on Tuesday and is reported to recommend moving under-25s off the main sickness and disability benefits.[BBC News]
  • Just under one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training, according to ONS data for April to June, a 3% rise on the same period last year.[BBC News]
  • Milburn told the Guardian his proposals would create 440,000 employment and education opportunities by 2036 and raise young people's net incomes by more than £2bn.[The Guardian]
  • Some estimates have put the cost of Milburn's proposals at around £6bn.[The Guardian]
  • Downing Street is considering whether to extend the plans to older age groups, according to Guardian reporting.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • The recommendations are pre-publication, so the final content of the Milburn report has not yet been confirmed.[BBC News]
  • The employment, education and income gains are projections attributed to Milburn, and the £6bn cost comes from unnamed estimates.[The Guardian]
  • Whether the benefit changes will be extended to older age groups is unconfirmed, as Downing Street is only reported to be considering it.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.