The Pandemic Fallout

The true costs of restrictions.

The number of people getting health-related benefits in England and Wales has risen steeply since the pandemic: 1 in 10 working-aged adults 1 ( roughly 4 million) are now claiming disability or incapacity benefits, up by 2.8 million since the pandemic—just over 2000 new claimants per working day.

We do not need to explain to TTE readers that the lockdowns negatively impacted people's mental health. Coupled with daily scare tactics, it is unsurprising that a significant portion of the population felt highly anxious. Social isolation, restrictions on people’s ability to work, and limitations on seeking support from loved ones and engaging in their communities all contributed to the increased stress and burden of mental health.

By the end of 2024, an estimated 8.7 million people (150 per 1000 patient population) in England were prescribed antidepressants, an increase of 2.1% compared to the previous year and by 10% since the pandemic.

This data helps inform future strategies that enact rest…