We live in the UK’s PIP capital…shameless kids bomb around in flash cars bought with benefits but are ‘too sick to work’

4 comments 4 Next SET in breathtaking rolling valleys, steeped in industrial history and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Blaenau Gwent in Wales attracts more than half a million tourists each year. According to statistics the sector contributes £43 million to the local economy each year, but conversations with locals in the region’s main town reveal a stark contrast to this success story. 12 Ebbw Vale is home to the highest number of people claiming PIP due to anxiety or depression Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun 12 Jessica George suffers from anxiety and claims PIP, and describes it as “very, very difficult” Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun Advertisement While tourism in Ebbw Vale and the surrounding area is slowly increasing, at the other end of the spectrum so too is the number of people claiming the State’s disability benefits.

Figures reveal its home to the highest number of people who claim the state’s disability benefit, PIP (Personal Independence Payment) due to anxiety or depression . Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Around one in 30 people in Blaenau Gwent, the local government district in the county of Caerphilly, claim PIP due to mental health problems, with 34.4 per cent of claimants declaring mental or psychiatric problems.

They contribute to the 211 claimants per 1,000 people, compared to the UK average of 97 claimants per 1,000. Read More from News BENEFIT BRITAIN Map reveals UK’s benefits hotspots where millions don’t have jobs PIPS BIDS Under-25s lodged record number of PIP claims during Burnham's first month as PM 12 Resident Robert Woodward says Ebbw Vale hasn’t been the same since the loss of the steelworks in 2002 Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun 12 One retail worker says there’s a lack of work ethic among PIP claimants Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun It’s a statistic which weighs heavily on the community, which has previously come under fire as the ‘ obesity capital of the UK ’.

None of the shopkeepers The Sun spoke to on a weekday visit to the town were willing to be identified as ‘these people are our customers, so we don’t want to lose them’. Advertisement One told us: “I have sympathy for those who have legitimate claims, but it seems so easy for people to claim anxiety or other mental health problems and just get a handout. “I suffer from anxiety and depression myself, but I have to get on with it and come to work every day, and sitting at home without a real purpose isn’t going make it any better, is it?”

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The retail worker added: “I don’t think the work ethic is there anymore. “They’re all out on a weekend driving around in a brand-new car paid for with their benefits and during the week they’re too ill to work. Advertisement “We have one customer who claimed she couldn’t walk properly, she was using a wheelchair, but her claim was knocked back, she failed to get PIP and the next minute she’s walking down the road in high heels. 12 Resident Darren Dempsey says anxiety “seems to be an easy excuse” for young people claiming benefits in the area Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun 12 Rassau, an estate in Ebbw Vale, struggles with high rates of unemployment Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun “It makes me so angry because the system is so easy to take advantage of and it’s us taxpayers who have to foot the bill.”

The Department for Work and Pensions reported PIP handed out costs at £28.5 billion in the tax year 2025-26 and with the steep upward trajectory it is expected to rise to £45 billion by the year 2030. Advertisement Another business owner Ebbw Wale said: “There are quite a lot of people claiming who shouldn’t be. “It’s just another way in which we pay more taxes. “I’m going to have to shut my shop soon because times are so difficult right now.

“Although the customers are there, the rates we pay are too high and it’s no longer sustainable for us.” We caught up with one of his customers in the town centre, a woman in her 70s who also did not want to be named. Advertisement She said: “I worked all my life since I was 15 until I retired because that’s what you had to do. “These youngsters have it too easy and meanwhile I’ve paid tax upon tax and now after the budget I’ll have to pay tax on my pension .

“It’s like the world’s gone mad, or at least our government has.” PIP pays between £76.20 and £114.60 per week, paid every four weeks. Mobility enhancements, for help getting around and carrying out daily tasks are between £33.30 and £80 per week. On one of Ebbw Vale’s most deprived estates, Rassau , is marred by high rates of unemployment, a loss of local amenities and little for young people to do. Advertisement One resident Robert Woodward, 78, said the town of Ebbw Vale had not been the same since the loss of the steelworks, which was closed down in 2002.

He was a steelworker before embarking on a career as a carpenter. He said: “If you speak to someone from my generation, we’ve mostly worked all our lives, but things have shifted somewhat. “There are a huge number of people claiming benefits and I’m glad the Government chose not to increase them in the budget. 12 23-year-old Morgan says there aren’t many opportunities in Ebbw Vale Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun Advertisement 12 The community has previously been named the ‘obesity capital of the UK’ Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun “What they should have spent more on is defence, especially with everything going on in the world at the moment – it’s frightening.

“Some people are genuine, but I think the vast majority see it as an easy way of living. “I’ve seen one young man walk into the doctor limping and using a stick to walk, but once he was down the street the limp stopped and he could walk fine. “The way to address both issues is to bring back National Service to straighten them out.” Advertisement 12 Cars are seized during a crackdown on illegal vehicles in the area Source: Not known, clear with picture desk 12 This car was caught by police with false number plates Source: Gwent Police One man, Darren Dempsey, 42, chose Ebbw Vale as his new home, having moved from London for a fresh start after family bereavements.

He is studying to become a social carer, which will mean he will eventually work with the types of people claiming disability benefit. Darren said: “It surprises me that there are so many young people now claiming, but anxiety seems to be an easy excuse. Advertisement “Things are challenging in the current climate, but people need to be willing to study and work hard to get a more rewarding life. “Because of the closure of the mines and the steelworks it has meant youngsters may have had a troubled start in life, with little money and social challenges from a young age.

“There are also more women on their own here because many of the men have died from industry related illnesses. “Many struggle for money and work up here, which is a tough situation.” Despite some claiming PIP is granted too easily, for others, the struggle with mental health is very real, with devastating effects. Advertisement 12 Anti-social behaviour is the second highest crime in Ebbw Vale and more than 545 incidences were reported last year Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun 12 Crime rates are high in Ebbw Vale, with 150 crimes happening per 1,000 people Source: Adrian Sherratt – Commissioned by the Sun Jessica George, 28, told how her mental state and severe anxiety took over her life after living in an abusive relationship which eventually ended.

She said: “I suffer from anxiety and claim PIP and it’s very, very difficult. “I’m out with my cousin but if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t go out at all. Advertisement “I rarely leave the house. “I used to be a carer, but I left because of the effects of an abusive relationship, and if I didn’t claim PIP I wouldn’t be able to buy food or pay the rent. “It’s a lot less than minimum wage so ideally I’d like to get another job, but I don’t feel able to at the moment.”

Morgan, 23, believes Ebbw Vale, a town with a population of just 20,000, doesn’t have a lot to offer, and while there are a number of closed shops, there are still a number of independent businesses. He said: “I’ve applied for 32 jobs, and they’ve either said no or just ignored me. Advertisement “Being homeless and sofa-surfing due to troubles at home, and just not being able to land a job despite trying has caused severe mental health.

“I also have a health condition which means if I walk far, it causes me to limp. “I’m aware lots of people take advantage, but in Ebbw Vale there are not a lot of opportunities or reasons to come here. “There are also a lot of groups of local youths who go round abusing local people and generally behaving anti-socially, so I think that environment causes people to suffer anxiety too.” Ebbw Vale has a high crime rate, with 150 crimes per 1,000 people, with anti-social behaviour being the second highest crime, with more than 545 incidences reported last year.

Advertisement RECOMMENDED STORIES The DWP is currently reviewing its PIP system, considering tightening eligibility and means testing against Universal Credit and awarding food vouchers rather thank directly paying cash into personal bank accounts. Organisations like Citizens Advice have strongly criticized such measures. 4 comments 4