Our response to the government's new approach to 'economic activity'

Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, today set out plans to increase numbers of people going back into work across Britain.

We have long spoken about the harms of punitive measures - such as benefit sanctions - within the social security system which can have a damaging impact for those of us living with a mental illness. 

We're hoping this announcement will signal a shift in approach from the government to support people back into work rather than penalise them.

Deputy Chief Executive, Brian Dow, sets out our response to the announcement: 

“We need to urgently reframe economic inactivity as a health and social care issue. Today’s call by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for fundamental reform rightly recognises how poor health, including mental health, can shut people out of employment and identifies how the right support can unlock opportunities to work. We hope this heralds a step-change in approach, in which a combination of harsh benefit sanctions and threadbare support left thousands of people living with mental illness behind who can and want to work. Not only does evidence suggest sanctions are ineffective, but they also risk making people more unwell and push them further away from a steady, enjoyable job that adds to their quality of life. As our partner charity Mental Health UK’s own pilot Into Work has demonstrated, the right approach from employers, combined with comprehensive support for people currently facing those obstacles to get into work, holds the potential to not only promote economic growth and productivity, but in the process transform people’s lives.”