🧵You’ll see headlines calling the UK “the sick man of Europe” and claiming disability benefits have doubled. But between 2010–2023, the caseload rose just 23% (from 2.6m to 3.2m). They inflate the numbers by quietly switching time periods. It’s misleading — and dangerous. 1/6 - ThreadSky

shrinkatlarge.bsky.social • 34 days ago

🧵You’ll see headlines calling the UK “the sick man of Europe” and claiming disability benefits have doubled. But between 2010–2023, the caseload rose just 23% (from 2.6m to 3.2m). They inflate the numbers by quietly switching time periods. It’s misleading — and dangerous. 1/6

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weatheredmachine.bsky.social•34 days ago

They also conveniently ignore the fact we have an active pandemic ongoing, that causes Long Covid, and the whole toxic miasma of the world is drastically fucking over everyone's mental health :(

shrinkatlarge.bsky.social•34 days ago

Falling disability claims elsewhere doesn’t mean the UK is uniquely “sick” compared to other countries mentioned. Different policies, healthcare systems, and access rules shape the numbers. Britain’s rise may reflect better awareness or access — not a national health collapse.

shrinkatlarge.bsky.social•34 days ago

The UK’s larger increase does not necessarily indicate a "sick man" status. It reflect sunique pressures (e.g., cost-of-living crisis, NHS backlogs) + a more responsive benefits system, not a disproportionate health decline compared to high-welfare states like France and Norway.

shrinkatlarge.bsky.social•34 days ago

Waters suggests the easily refutable post-pandemic cost-of-living crisis drove up disability claims— other countries faced similar shocks without the same rise. The UK’s spike = a pile-up: austerity, record NHS waits, recession. This undermines the ‘suggestibility’ narrative.

shrinkatlarge.bsky.social•34 days ago

The UK’s spending growth does not make it an outlier in absolute terms; it’s catching up to higher-spending peers. Calling it the "sick man" exaggerates when its expenditure remains below several developed nations. We should be proud of catching up - social security saves money.

shrinkatlarge.bsky.social•34 days ago

Headlines calling Britain the “sick man” of the developed world rely on selective data. Yes, disability claims have risen but not as much as claimed. UK’s trend reflects deep systemic issues not collapse. Spending is still within OECD norms. Stop leaking false propaganda, Labour. #WelfareNotWorkfare

purpleelectric.bsky.social•34 days ago

To what extent do other countries have more generous social security that allows people to claim other income-replacement benefits rather than sickness/disability? Is that contributing to the numbers?

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