The number of people on the Isle of Wight receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with non-specific back pain has risen by more than a quarter in just 5 years.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data shows there were 102 Island claimants with non-specific back pain recorded as their primary disabling condition in April 2026.
This is up from 80 in April 2021 – an increase of 22 claimants, or 27.5%.
The figures have been analysed following the publication of a new briefing by the TaxPayers’ Alliance examining non-specific back pain PIP claims across England and Wales.
Nationally, the number of claimants increased by 58.9% over the same 5-year period, from 32,867 in April 2021 to 52,210 in April 2026. This means the percentage increase recorded on the Isle of Wight was less than half that seen across England and Wales.
PIP helps people with the extra costs associated with a long-term health condition or disability and is not means-tested.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance says non-specific back pain is harder to verify independently because there is no identified underlying cause to explain the symptoms. It argues that where symptoms are difficult to verify, it can be difficult to distinguish genuine cases from exaggerated or falsely reported symptoms.
Across England and Wales, non-specific back pain accounted for 1.3% of all PIP claimants in April 2026.
When the State, using tax payers money to fund it, give away free money, free clothing, free telephones, really free food etc. etc., there will be a queue from Abbey Wood to Addis Ababa and from York to Yemen.
Hardly surprising really.
It will never stop until the money runs out or Putin nukes us.
If you spent 30 minutes on google or you tube you will find how to convince even the most exacting of DHSS staff that you have an illusionery ailment that requires benefits.
I have severe back issues
Still go to work every day
Sad thing is I have to fight to get medication from the doctor
Might be worth me going the pip route just so I can get some pain relief without fighting for it
And?not exactly ground breaking journalism
The old trick in the book.
Lol
How many of these persons are still breeding,
Nothing wrong with their backs in the bedroom
department.
So many people know how to play the system.
No cure for lazyitus
Best con going…. I’ve got backpain… kerching… PIP free loader
Claim for back pain.
I had better put my claim in then.
Never thought of that.
Thanks !!
It’s just getting out of order this claiming business
Here’s a thought – just create a new symptom to cover all other symptoms which habitually are covered by PIP. Then diagnosis would be much easier. We could call it the medical condition of laziness brought on by a sudden desire to game the system because all your mates are doing it.
There, that should cover it.
Has anyone commenting on here actually bothered to read the story? The increase on the Island is around half the national trend, represents an increase of 22 people and takes no account of a rise in population. I think we have more serious things to be worrying about.