Official statistics have exposed a concerning escalation in the number of Scots receiving disability benefits primarily for anxiety disorders, with new figures indicating the cost to taxpayers has now surpassed £1.3 billion. The data, obtained through freedom of information requests by the Scottish Conservatives, reveals a system under significant strain as claims for various mental health conditions have skyrocketed over the past year.
Sharp Rise in Anxiety and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Claims
The most striking increase involves anxiety disorders, with more than 60,000 individuals awarded the devolved Adult Disability Payment (ADP) last year specifically for this condition. This represents an alarming near-doubling from the 33,247 recipients recorded the previous year. These claimants form part of a much larger cohort of almost 200,000 Scots now receiving ADP due to diagnosed mental and behavioural disorders.
ADHD and OCD Payments Also Show Dramatic Increases
The figures detail similarly sharp rises for other conditions. As of October 2025, some 10,507 Scots were receiving ADP due to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – more than double the 4,652 claimants in May 2024. For obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the number jumped from 686 to 1,422 over the same comparative period. A further 277 individuals were awarded the benefit due to social phobias, up from 134 previously.
These statistics are drawn from the latest Social Security Scotland data, which confirms that 197,055 Scots were receiving ADP for mental health conditions as of October last year. The total annual cost for these payments has reached £1,293,919,120. Notable increases were also recorded for childhood autism, with recipients soaring from 7,397 to 19,649, and Tourette's syndrome, where claims nearly doubled from 131 to 258.
Political Criticism Over 'Soft-Touch' Benefits Regime
The publication of these figures has ignited a fierce political debate at Holyrood. Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Alexander Stewart suggested the soaring numbers indicate that "many are benefitting from the SNP’s soft-touch benefits regime which fails to tackle unnecessary or fraudulent claims."
Mr Stewart expressed concern that hard-working taxpayers are funding this expansion, stating: "With the SNP’s benefits bill ballooning, hard-working Scots will be dismayed to see the astonishing number of payments made for conditions like anxiety, ADHD and OCD." He emphasised that Scots "should not be paying the highest taxes in the United Kingdom simply to fund the SNP benefits bill."
Plans to Overhaul the System
The Scottish Conservatives have announced plans to bring forward proposals this week aimed at ensuring the social security system delivers value for taxpayers. Mr Stewart framed this as a necessary move to end what he termed "the SNP’s sicknote culture which is deeply damaging for Scotland’s economy." He added a direct challenge to First Minister John Swinney, asserting that his party would continue to stand up for Scots concerned about the sustainability of the benefits surge.
Government Defends Support as a 'Human Right'
In a robust defence of the current policy, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville hit back at what she called "the stigmatising rhetoric" surrounding mental health. She argued that such commentary ignores the fundamental purpose of ADP, which is to support disabled people with everyday tasks that many take for granted.
"The Scottish Government will unapologetically continue to deliver measures to reduce poverty and inequality," Ms Somerville stated. "Social security is a human right, and we are clear that supporting eligible disabled people with mental health problems is the right thing to do." She also pointed to the Scottish budget, noting that over half of Scottish taxpayers pay less income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK, countering claims of an excessive burden.
Cultural Context and Celebrity Advocacy
The debate over mental health support occurs against a backdrop of increasing public awareness. Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, who suffers from Tourette's and has spoken openly about his battles with anxiety, represents a prominent voice in this conversation. In a 2023 Netflix documentary, Capaldi described his experience with panic attacks, saying: "When I have a panic attack, it feels like I’m going insane, completely disconnected from reality." His decision to take an extended break from touring to prioritise his wellbeing, and his initiative to create quiet rooms at his gigs for fans experiencing anxiety, highlights the personal realities behind the statistical increases.
The substantial growth in ADP claims for mental health conditions underscores a critical tension in Scottish social policy: balancing compassionate support for genuine need with fiscal responsibility and safeguards against potential abuse. As the political argument intensifies, the figures confirm that mental health now represents a dominant and costly segment of Scotland's devolved welfare landscape.
