Mind reacts to UK government Green Paper on benefit reform

The Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, has announced the benefits reform Green Paper, laying out the UK government's proposals for changes to the country's benefits system.

Key announcements include:

• Scrapping of the work capability assessment (WCA)

• Changes to the eligibility of personal independence payments (PIP)

• £1 billion investment in employment support

Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:

"Mental health problems are not a choice - but it is a political choice to make it harder for people to access the support they need to live with dignity and independence. These reforms will only serve to deepen the nation’s mental health crisis.

"While the increased investment in employment support will go some way in helping the many people with mental health problems who can and want to work, this risks being undermined by a short-sighted approach - slashing people’s benefits at the same time.    

"Benefits like Personal Independence Payment are a lifeline, helping people with a mental health problem to enter and remain in work. Without this support, people risk being plunged in poverty and seeing a deterioration in their health, which will ultimately lead to more people falling into unemployment.  

"We have an opportunity to truly transform people’s experiences of employment. This requires having a benefits system that provides a robust safety net that truly supports people into good, sustainable work, while also supporting those who are simply not well enough to work. Today’s announcement does the opposite and we urge the Government to rethink these plans."