Staff secondment to DWP

Our CEO Paul Farmer's response to questions on social media about Tom Pollard's secondment to DWP:

Tom Pollard from Mind's Policy and Campaigns Team is on secondment with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). His secondment is due to end in April. Originally for 12 months, it was extended by six months to allow Tom to finish work on a number of projects that were delayed because of the General Election and changes in the ministerial team.

As a Senior Mental Health Policy Adviser, he will be advising on the most appropriate and effective ways to support and engage with people with mental health problems across a range of policy issues.

Tom's longstanding work on these issues gives him the expertise to advise the DWP as it designs and delivers a number of key policies that will impact on people with mental health problems. This is a great opportunity to push for these policies to be as supportive and effective as possible for people with mental health problems.

Mind will continue to campaign independently and outspokenly for a benefits and welfare system that works for people with mental health problems, including an overhaul of fitness for work tests and a focus on support rather than sanctions.