Mind responds to Get Britain Working white paper
Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Mind
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, has today published the government's Get Britain Working White Paper, which sets out plans to support more people into work or training.
Key announcements include:
-
Advisory panels which would help people with disabilities and young people shape welfare reforms that affect them
-
Additional investment in Jobcentres to evolve them away from 'tick box' culture
Responding to today’s announcement, Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“The Get Britain Working White Paper is a step in the right direction to help improve employment outcomes for people with mental health problems who want to work but currently lack the right support. Right now, too many people find themselves being pushed into low-quality, low-paid work, which can worsen their mental health.
"Linking up employment support with mental health support and changing Jobcentres from a benefits administration service to a genuine employment service is a welcome move. But reforms must go further. The government must end the use of sanctions, which only serve to push people with mental health problems further from work. It must seek to build trust with disabled people, with today’s commitment to work with disabled people to reform the benefits system a positive sign.
“The government has said it wants to expand access to mental health support – but this needs to be backed up by adequate funding for services to meet rising mental health need. We must also remember that our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it, including people with mental health problems who may be unable to work due to their health.”
"Linking up employment support with mental health support and changing Jobcentres from a benefits administration service to a genuine employment service is a welcome move. But reforms must go further. The government must end the use of sanctions, which only serve to push people with mental health problems further from work. It must seek to build trust with disabled people, with today’s commitment to work with disabled people to reform the benefits system a positive sign.
“The government has said it wants to expand access to mental health support – but this needs to be backed up by adequate funding for services to meet rising mental health need. We must also remember that our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it, including people with mental health problems who may be unable to work due to their health.”
