Campaigners have raised concerns that proposed cuts to benefits for individuals with mental health conditions could worsen their health and make it even more difficult for them to re-enter the workforce.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to unveil a Health and Disability Green Paper on Tuesday, March 18, outlining plans to reform the welfare system, reduce economic inactivity, and cut £6 billion from the benefits bill. Among the proposals are restrictions to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility, particularly targeting psychiatric disorders, and changes to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) for Universal Credit claimants.
Advocates for mental health support warn that these proposed changes may have a detrimental effect on individuals already struggling with mental health issues. They argue that reducing benefits will not motivate people to return to work but could instead intensify their challenges.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, emphasized that mental health issues often make it difficult for people to work, and cutting benefits could push individuals further from employment rather than encouraging their return. “Most people with mental health problems tell us that work plays a key role in maintaining their well-being,” Rowland said. “However, reducing already limited incomes will likely harm their mental health and make returning to work less likely.”
Data released by the DWP shows a significant rise in mental health-related claims for PIP. Between November 2023 and October 2024, claims for psychiatric disorders increased by 104,159, reaching over 1.4 million, or 38% of total PIP claimants. Anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are among the most common conditions cited in claims. Additionally, 68% of Universal Credit work capability assessments from January 2022 to November 2024 recorded mental or behavioral disorders, with many claimants receiving extra support due to limited capability for work.
Campaigners argue that instead of cutting support, the government should focus on prevention and early intervention. Rob Berrington, a mental health advocate, highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that includes investment in workplace mental health, statutory sick pay, counseling, mentoring, and peer support. “Other countries that get this right invest in creating healthy workplaces, ensuring job security, and providing timely support when needed,” he said.
Berrington concluded, “The UK government must listen to the concerns of the mental health sector. Cutting financial support for people not yet ready to return to work could exacerbate the mental health crisis rather than address it.”
The reforms, which could affect nearly 400,000 individuals with mental health issues currently receiving PIP and Universal Credit, have sparked widespread concern from mental health organizations and support groups, calling for a more empathetic and comprehensive approach to welfare reform.
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