Slashing red tape may put rights of people with mental health problems at risk

Posted Tuesday 15 May 2012

The mental health charity Mind has today responded to an announcement by the Government on the outcome of the Red Tape  Challenge consultation¹.

Mind’s Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:
In trying to cut through the administrative burden on businesses it is vital that important regulations that protect the employment rights of people with mental health problems are not lost. 

We have only just seen an end to the use of unfair pre-employment questionnaires that allowed employers to ask questions about someone’s health and disability and screen out candidates that had a history of mental health problems.

We must not return to this discriminatory practice and we urge the Government to publicly commit to retaining the ban on pre-employment questionnaires.

Equalities legislation must be as effective as possible but we are concerned that the proposed review of the Public Sector Equality Duty may lead to a diminishing of Government responsibility to fully consider protected groups.

Cuts to benefits, legal aid and social care are already falling disproportionately on people with mental health problems so now more than ever it’s important for the Government to consider the protection of all disabled people and enshrine an equalities approach.

**ENDS**

1. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/parliamentary-business/written-ministerial-statement/red-tape-reform-ehrc/?view=Standard&pubID=1028146

Notes to editors:

• We’re Mind, the mental health charity. We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect. www.mind.org.uk
• Please note that Mind is not an acronym and should be set in title case.

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