Is the UK overdiagnosing mental health conditions? Wes streeting’s bold new review sparks national debate

The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has initiated a major clinical review into how mental health conditions—including autism and ADHD—are diagnosed across England. The move comes amid growing concerns within government about a dramatic rise in the number of adults claiming sickness-related benefits due to mental health issues.

According to recent reports, Streeting is increasingly worried that everyday emotional struggles may be getting classified as medical disorders, potentially inflating diagnosis numbers. This sharp increase, he believes, may be contributing to the growing welfare bill, with 4.4 million working-age adults now receiving sickness or incapacity benefits—a jump of more than one million people since 2019.

What’s particularly striking is the rapid surge among younger adults. The number of individuals aged 16 to 34 who are out of work due to long-term mental health conditions has risen at an unprecedented rate. Streeting has acknowledged that his concerns are shaped not only by professional briefings but also by his own lived experience and by conversations with clinicians who report skyrocketing diagnosis rates across the board.

He stated that it is crucial to evaluate this issue “through a strictly clinical lens,” pointing out that the government must develop a clearer, evidence-driven understanding of what is happening inside the mental health, autism, and ADHD support systems. Only then, he argued, can the UK ensure that people receive timely, accurate diagnoses and the right treatment.

The government has confirmed that this new review will run alongside a £688 million funding package designed to strengthen NHS mental health services. Still, the timing has raised speculation about whether the initiative is tied more closely to welfare reform than to clinical improvement.

Earlier this year, ministers faced intense backlash over proposed cuts to disability benefits, including support for those with mental health conditions. More than 100 Labour MPs opposed the adjustments, forcing the government to reverse the plan. Despite that political defeat, the prime minister has recently renewed calls for welfare reform, arguing that the current system traps people in poverty and wrongly labels younger citizens as unable to work.

The newly launched review will be led by Professor Peter Fonagy, a highly respected clinical psychologist known for his rigorous, research-driven approach to mental health policy. His findings are expected to be released in Summer 2026. According to Fonagy, the core mission is to challenge assumptions, listen closely to the voices of those affected, and develop recommendations that offer genuine solutions—not superficial fixes.

Data from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) shows that the number of working-age adults receiving disability or incapacity benefits in England and Wales rose from just under three million in 2019 to approximately four million in early 2024. Meanwhile, NHS mental health and diagnostic services continue to face extreme pressure, with patients reporting long waits, limited access to specialised care, and widespread inequities in treatment.

The government’s announcement has drawn a mix of support and caution from leading mental health organisations. The charity Mind called the review a “major opportunity” to understand why mental illness is rising so sharply—particularly among young people. The Royal College of Psychiatrists echoed that sentiment but urged the government to recognise the “complex reasons” people seek help. Meanwhile, the National Autistic Society warned that while demand for assessments may be stabilising, waiting times have soared to unacceptable levels.

As this review unfolds, it promises to shape a national conversation: Are mental health issues genuinely becoming more common—or is the UK unintentionally medicalising normal emotional experiences?

FAQ

1. Why has Wes Streeting launched a clinical review?
To investigate whether rising mental health, autism, and ADHD diagnoses reflect genuine clinical need or potential overdiagnosis.

2. What concerns prompted the review?
A dramatic increase in sickness benefit claims linked to mental health conditions and reports of strained diagnostic services.

3. Who will lead the review?
Professor Peter Fonagy, a prominent clinical psychologist, will oversee the investigation.

4. When will the review’s findings be published?
The final report is expected in Summer 2026.

5. Is the review connected to welfare reform?
While the government denies direct linkage, the timing coincides with renewed efforts to reshape the welfare system.