Severely disabled young people should get fast-track access to benefits, Milburn says

Alan Milburn said 16- to 24-year-olds with most complex needs should not have to keep proving they cannot work

Young people whose complex disabilities mean they have little prospect of getting a paid job should get fast-track access to disability benefits, an official review of youth employment will say.

The review, by the former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn, will say 16- to 24-year-olds with the most severe lifelong needs should be guaranteed swift and unconditional benefit support rather than having to prove they cannot work.

Currently, many disabled youngsters and their families have to endure repeated lengthy, adversarial and often distressing assessments to access personal independence payment (Pip) and universal credit health benefits.

The guarantee could include young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, severe neurological conditions, and those with severe and complex needs who qualify for NHS continuing healthcare support.