The number of cases of diabetes across Great Britain has topped five million for the first time amid rising levels of obesity. Diabetes UK said that almost 4.3million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, however, an estimated 850,000 are living with the condition but have not yet been formally diagnosed.
The charity has also estimated that more than 2.4million people are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the UK. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that at the end of August last year, some 17,249 older people were receiving Attendance Allowance payments for diabetes, including 1,278 living in Scotland.
The benefit provides either £68.10 or £101.75 each week and, as it is paid every four weeks, this amounts to either £272.40 or £407.00 every pay period.
