The UK town where 1 in 30 people are claiming benefits for anxiety
Share this @internewscast.com

Data has revealed that one in 30 people, 2,289 individuals, in a UK town are claiming benefits for anxiety as the government battles to reduce welfare spending. The constituency of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney in Wales is reportedly in the grips of widespread unemployment. Lucrative coal seams, iron works and steel mills that used to be the source of jobs and revenue for the area were located in the hills looming over the area. But these have now vanished.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit awarded to people aged 16 and above with long-term health conditions or disabilities. A number of those claiming the support are citing “depression” and “anxiety” as the reason, The Telegraph reports. “There’s actually a phrase round here; ‘off on a Pip trip’, to describe when someone gets their money and goes on a minibreak,” Robert Andrew, 75, a company director and owner of various hospitality businesses, told the newspaper.

He then suggested that people may be suffering from anxiety because of the lack of employment. Mr Andrew added: “Claiming benefits is easier than working and they get more money for it – apart from factory work there are no jobs around here.”

Standing behind the bar at his Royal Arms Hotel, he added that his trade is a “dying” one, and there has been “nothing to replace” the heavy industrial jobs that were once available in the area.

The Welshman then pointed out that the government brought in an emergency bill to save Scunthorpe steelworks, but “nobody lifted a finger” to help Port Talbot’s Tata Steelworks.

In September 2024, workers drilled the final hole in the last remaining blast furnace, bringing to an end the traditional method of steelmaking in south Wales.

Factory worker Libby Lewis, 18, is joining the army to “get away” from Rhymney. “I want to make something of myself and this is not the place to do it,” they said.

One of Lewis’s friends, aged 17, called the town “depressing”, adding that its streets and parks are empty. Residents, he claimed, just “sit at home being depressed and anxious because they can’t see a future”.

“Those who do leave the house only want to cause trouble; windows get egged or smashed, bins get stolen. Not so long ago a bus broke down near the community centre and a 14-year-old jumped on board and drove it off.”

It comes as Labour MPs are urging the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to do “something different” by introducing a new wealth tax rather than making cuts to benefits payments.

Sir Keir Starmer’s former transport secretary, Louise Haigh, said today that Labour’s “unpopular decisions are overshadowing the good ones” after huge gains by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK at the local elections.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

How One Woman Shed 7 Stone in 10 Months Naturally: Her Inspiring Weight Loss Journey Without Mounjaro

A woman has shared her remarkable achievement of losing seven stone in…

Top Trade for Staying Fit Revealed: Painters and Decorators Rank Lowest in Physical Activity

In the realm of trade professions, one job stands out for its…

Gayle King Reveals Her Remarkable Weight Loss Journey Amidst Her Rise in Influential Circles

Gayle King is turning heads with her remarkable appearance, as she continues…

Experts Advise Britons to Brush for Three Minutes to Significantly Reduce Health Risks

A significant portion of the British population admits to taking shortcuts in…

From Fast Food to Fitness: My Journey from Size 28 to a New Me with a 14-Stone Weight Loss Transformation

A woman who once struggled with a junk food addiction, shedding an…

Plus-Size Traveler Advocates Against Purchasing Extra Plane Seats, Citing It as Unnecessary Expense

A woman who embraces her plus-sized identity has shared why she opts…

Top Nutritionist Reveals Healthiest Cooking Oils and Tips for Incorporating Them into Your Meals

Oil has become a contentious topic in Britain’s culinary landscape, sparking heated…

Halloween Shoppers Alerted: Avoid This One Mistake to Protect Your Eyesight

What began as a playful Halloween endeavor nearly turned into a harrowing…

Urgent Recall: Over 6 Million Egg Cartons Pulled Due to Bacteria Contamination Concerns

A significant recall of six million eggs has been broadened due to…

Crucial Alert: High Street Vitamin Brands Found with Unsafe Levels – Up to 12 Times Over the Limit!

In a startling revelation, an investigation has uncovered that some popular supplements…