Rethink Mental Illness responds to the Chancellor's mini-budget

Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness:

"The Chancellor's statement today will have done little to alleviate the pressure that money worries are placing on people's mental health as we face a deepening cost of living crisis, with a harsh winter ahead.

"The support promised to help meet the cost of their energy bills fails to counter people's fears. People living with mental illness or carers who struggle to find suitable work will find that the new requirement to search for longer hours or another job makes the workplace less accessible, exacerbating anxiety and stress. Instead of lifting the cap on bankers' bonuses and putting extra pressure on part-time workers, the government should be raising benefits in line with inflation. Equally, while we appreciate the chancellor said NHS and social care funding remains consistent, it's critical that services which support people’s wellbeing are protected from the toxic combination of high inflation, a looming recession and tax cuts. As demand grows, the government must provide more funding to help services meet soaring demand."