Demand rising for medical labels seen as ‘the single reliable key to support’, review finds Daily Telegraph 09/10/26 Soaring demand for ADHD and autism diagnoses is being fuelled by Britain’s welfare system, a review has warned. A government-commissioned report says medical labels have become a gateway to benefits, school support and other help, creating financial incentives that risk driving overdiagnosis. The review finds evidence of a substantial rise in mental distress, estimating that about four million children and young people – one in five – are now experiencing high levels of psychological strain. However, it warned that unnecessary diagnoses could harm a generation by “closing doors”, lowering ambitions and defining children by what they cannot do. Advertisement The 607-page review, led by Prof Peter Fonagy, a clinical psychologist at University College London, questions how demand for diagnoses has been generated by making them “the single reliable key to support”. “...
The Conservative leader’s focus on inheritance tax cuts and childcare for higher earners assumes Nigel Farage’s party is finished Daily Telegraph 08/10/26 At their party conference in Birmingham, the Tories unveiled their “Southern Posh” strategy. This marks the biggest shift in political strategy in a decade and carries enormous risks. Given a general election in the spring remains a possibility, we’ll know soon whether it’s a success. The conference carried an unambiguous message: “We’re here for the better off.” Allowing families to pass down homes and £1m without inheritance tax , and extending free childcare to higher earners, are top of the wish lists of middle-class, urban professionals. The party also pledged to reverse Labour’s “mansion tax” and, in time, to tackle other taxes on higher earners. To be sure, these policies mostly poll well with other voters too (particularly cuts in IHT), but collectively they’ll especially please the posh. While the party quietly presse...