Welfare reforms will improve mental health, insist ministers
Welfare reforms will improve mental health, Cabinet ministers have insisted.
Wes Streeting and Liz Kendall said 'good work is good for mental health' as the Prime Minister tried to buy off a backbench rebellion over his benefits changes.
The Health Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary made their intervention in an attempt to persuade wavering Labour MPs to get behind the plans.
Sir Keir Starmer had been facing a Commons defeat on the changes, which tighten eligibility for personal independence payments (PIP), but he caved in to rebels on Thursday night.
The concessions, which allow existing PIP claimants to keep the payments, are expected to wipe out a third of the £5 billion they had been expected to save taxpayers.
Annual welfare spending has ballooned in recent years, and is set to increase to £378 billion by 2029/30, almost double the £210 billion it was in 2013/14.
Writing in the Telegraph today, Mr Streeting and Ms Kendall doubled down on the reforms, insisting they 'will help thousands more people with health conditions back into meaningful work'.
They made the comments while announcing measures to boost access to mental health support, which will mean anyone can access therapy via the NHS app.
New figures show almost a quarter of adults in England have common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression – with rates more than twice as high among those who are out of work.
The Cabinet ministers said: 'That link between mental health and work flows both ways - if we're serious about getting more people into work, we can't ignore mental health.'
'We're determined to drive change forward because this isn't just about individual wellbeing – it's about building a healthier, more productive society where everyone can contribute.'
Some 127 Labour MPs – more than a quarter of the total of 403 – had signed the reasoned amendment aimed at killing off the proposals ahead of Tuesday's vote on them.
Just 83 need to rebel against Sir Keir to defeat the Government.
Leading rebels believed that the new package was different enough to ensure the legislation will pass.
If the Bill is defeated, the Chancellor's £9.9 billion of fiscal headroom left in her Spring Statement will be wiped out because the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates the cumulative saving of the changes will total £13.7 billion by 2029-30.
On Tuesday, the first vote will be held on legislation that will raise the threshold for those claiming PIP, which helps with the extra living costs of having a disability, for new claimants.
Other elements in the proposed new law include halving the health top-up in Universal Credit for new claimants from 2026 and phasing out the work capability assessment.
The plans are estimated to save £3.5 billion a year.
Under the 10-year health plan, due to be announced next week, patients will be able to use the NHS app to self refer for talking therapies, without needing a GP appointment.
The plan will also look at the use of AI-driven virtual support as a first port of call, meaning chatbots could provide advice.
NHS data shows the unemployed and economically inactive are twice as likely to have mental health problems.
The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, published on Thursday, found that 40 per cent of unemployed adults had a mental health condition, more than double the 18.3 per cent of those in work who do.
For example, 13.8 per cent of the unemployed have depression, versus just 2.6 per cent of those who are in work.
The research also found the unemployed were also more likely to have suicidal thoughts, attempt suicide and self-harm.
Some 42.3 per cent of unemployed people said they had suicidal thoughts, 20.3 per cent had attempted suicide and 23.2 per cent had self-harmed. By contrast, the same statistics for employed people were 26.3 per cent, 6.6 per cent and 12.8 per cent, respectively.
Getting people back to work is good for them, the country and the economy
By Wes Streeting and Liz Kendall
Out of work and suffering from poor mental health? The latest data shows that the two go hand in hand more than ever.
Figures published just on Thursday show almost one in four adults in England have common mental health conditions – and that adults with problem debt and those out of work are far more likely to experience mental health conditions.
That link between mental health and work flows both ways - if we're serious about getting more people into work, we can't ignore mental health.
Good work is good for mental health. Good work brings purpose and routine. And good work enables social engagement, improved income and fulfilment – all important ingredients for a healthy life.
Getting people back to health is crucial to getting them back to work. And getting people back to work is good for them, good for the country and good for the economy.
That's why our government is taking decisive action on both these issues by delivering on the Plan for Change.
In November last year, we visited a medical centre in North London to see how the £64 million WorkWell programme can help connect people to local support services such as physiotherapy and counselling to help them stay or return to work. We saw first-hand how the programme can transform lives by integrating work and health support in one place.
We've prioritised mental health from day one, bringing in swathes of investment and reform that have been sorely missing over the last decade – and we're already making progress. This includes our £240 million Get Britain Working White Paper and a £1 billion employment support package for sick or disabled people, including those with mental health conditions.
Almost 70,000 people with mental health issues got employment support alongside their therapy last year – a 60% increase on the previous year.
More than 6,700 extra mental health workers have been recruited since July – putting us over half way towards our target of 8,500 additional staff by the end of this Parliament.
And we've started rolling out more access to occupational health services, and developing digital resources so employers better support their staff's mental wellbeing.
These moves are all critical to making sure people get the support they need to return to work and education, and to live independent, fulfilling lives.
But we know there is far more to do.
That's why our upcoming 10 Year Health Plan will set out ambitious reforms to revolutionise mental health services across the country.
For the first time, patients will be able to self-refer for talking therapies directly through the NHS App without needing a GP appointment. By embracing tech, we are opening the doors to things like virtual round-the-clock advice and support – so patients have the help they need at their fingertips.
For those experiencing more acute mental health crises, we're creating 85 dedicated mental health emergency departments, providing care when it's most urgently needed in a calmer and highly specialised setting.
And we're piloting innovative Neighbourhood Mental Health Models, providing drop-in services in community locations 24/7.
These reforms come at a critical time. Mental health conditions are now more prevalent than ever, and the need for better support embedded within our communities has never been greater.
Tackling the key drivers of mental ill-health – including homelessness and unemployment – requires a whole-government approach.
People should not have to quit the jobs they love because appropriate support isn't available. Our recently announced welfare legislation will help thousands more people with health conditions back into meaningful work, breaking down barriers, unlocking opportunities and in turn, growing the economy.
Our Employment Rights Bill will be good for your mental health and working life too – giving all workers more rights including flexible working, the right to guaranteed hours, greater job security and a stronger voice at work.
This government believes that your mental health shouldn't be a barrier to fulfilling your potential.
We're determined to drive change forward because this isn't just about individual wellbeing – it's about creating a healthier, more productive society where everyone can contribute.
Because for thousands of people, a job isn't just a payslip — it's a milestone in their recovery. And with the right support, it's a milestone within reach.
When we support mental health, we strengthen not only our workforce, but our entire nation.
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