Panorama S74E07

Panorama - S74E07: The Rising Cost of Health Benefits

Feb 23, 2026Documentary, NewsSeason 74, Episode 7

One in ten working-age people in England and Wales now claims disability or incapacity benefits. The cost to the taxpayer has increased dramatically over the last decade and now stands at £56 billion a year – four times what is spent on the justice system. Disability benefits have seen the sharpest rise, particularly among young people, and more than half of the overall increase has come from claimants with mental health and behavioural conditions. So what's behind the increase? Reporter Bronagh Munro investigates the spiralling costs and asks whether the health-related benefits system is fit for purpose.

All Episodes - Season 74

01Why Are Vet Bills So High?Jan 12, 202602Maxed Out: The Credit Card TrapJan 19, 202603Post Office: Who's to Blame?Jan 26, 202604Our Man in MoscowFeb 02, 202605Knife Crime - What Happened to our Boys?Feb 09, 202606Framed For Murder?Feb 16, 202607The Rising Cost of Health BenefitsFeb 23, 202608Will Robots Take My Job?Mar 02, 202609At War: Trump, Israel and IranMar 09, 202610Assisted Dying: What Next?Mar 16, 202611Living without Life’s Little LuxuriesMar 23, 202612Dangerous Dogs: Is the Ban Working?Mar 30, 202613Trump's Immigration CrackdownApr 13, 202614Antisemitism - Why British Jews Are AfraidApr 20, 202615Iran War - The Cost at HomeApr 27, 202616Scams, Lies and AIMay 15, 202617The Dark Side of Married at First SightMay 18, 202618Maternity Failures: The Fight for JusticeJun 01, 202619Predator: The Billionaire Football BossJun 08, 202620The Starmer Files: The Russian ConnectionJun 15, 202621Dubai: Is The Dream Over?Jul 13, 202622There's A Gangster In My FlatJul 20, 202623Andy Burnham: The Laura Kuenssberg InterviewJul 27, 202624Britain’s Strictest SchoolsAug 03, 202625Child Maintenance: Parents under PressureAug 17, 2026269/11: The Saudi ConnectionSep 07, 202627Epstein: Money, Power and AbuseSep 14, 202628Grooming Gangs: Why Were We Ignored?Sep 21, 202629Ghost Plates: Drivers Cheating the LawSep 28, 202630Cancer Before 50: Why Is It Rising?Oct 05, 202631Roman Abramovich: How He Hid His FortuneOct 12, 202632The Big Housing Rip-OffOct 19, 202633Iran: The People's StoryNov 02, 2026

Panorama S74E07 Synopsis

Stream Panorama "The Rising Cost of Health Benefits" in HD quality on Goojara. Originally aired on 2026-02-23, this episode is part of Season 74 of Panorama. With a runtime of 29m, the episode keeps you engaged throughout. As part of this Documentary and News series, the episode continues to build on the show's compelling narrative. One in ten working-age people in England and Wales now claims disability or incapacity benefits. The cost to the taxpayer has increased dramatically over the last decade and now stands at £56 billion a year – four times what is spent on the justice s...