Mind responds to UK government's Budget
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Mind
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, has delivered her first Budget, laying out the UK government's financial priorities for the immediate and longer-term future.
Key announcements include:
- Proposed changes to the work capability assessment (WCA) expected to go ahead and will leave many of the most vulnerable at risk of losing more than £400 a month in benefits
- £26 million funding for new mental health crisis centres welcome
Responding to today’s Budget announcement, Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“This Budget has shown glimmers of hope for mental health, but it has not delivered the changes needed to help create a mentally healthier nation.
“The funding for new mental health crisis centres in today’s Budget is welcome. But, we can’t wait for people to reach crisis point before we intervene. Sustained investment is required for the whole mental health system. Mental health accounts for 20% of all ill health but only gets 10% of NHS spend. It’s critical that an adequate portion of the NHS England funding announced is allocated to mental health services, so that people can access support before they reach crisis point.
“Alongside this it appears that welfare savings suggested by the previous government will go ahead. We are concerned that this will include significant changes to the Work Capability Assessment. This could have a devastating impact on people with mental health problems, taking away vital financial support worth over £400, and effectively pushing them into poverty. Crucially, it will do little to move people closer to employment.
“Mind stands ready to work with the UK government to make sure we’re a country where everybody with a mental health problem gets the support they need, when they need it. It is up to the government now to drive the transformation needed for the nation’s mental health.”
