Unemployment Mental Ill Health 2023-01-23
2023-01-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from an increase in economic inactivity due to mental illness, particularly since 2019. The Access to Work scheme is seen as a vital resource but faces delays.
What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of people who are out of work owing to mental ill health? Since 2019, economic inactivity due to mental illness and nervous disorders has increased by 22%. People with mental ill health need support in order to get back into work, and Access to Work grants are a vital resource in helping to ensure that they have that support, but in the past year alone waiting times have doubled and the size of the backlog has trebled. People have been forced to turn down jobs that they want to do because they cannot gain access to the support and flexibility they need.
The Prime Minister has tasked me with reviewing this entire area, including matters related to economic inactivity due to mental health issues. We will publish a White Paper to address some of these matters.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps and timeline for addressing delays were not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from a visit by the MP to a community interest company in Ipswich that helps adults with various disabilities live independently and get back into work.
Does the Minister agree that the moral of the story is that we should never give up on people, that we should never write them off and stop working with them to enable them to achieve their true potential, and that we should support organisations that help them to do so?
The Minister agrees entirely. The conditions of those who suffer from mental health issues are often dramatically improved when they can get into work, hold down a job and benefit from all that working provides.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitments or actions were provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the success of the Working Win pilot programme in South Yorkshire, which has helped 2,500 people get into work.
Can the Secretary of State guarantee that the funding will be maintained in the interim while considering whether the scheme could be rolled out nationally?
£7 million has been invested so far. The results are being looked at closely, including the effect not only on mental health but on productivity.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific guarantee was not provided
Looking At This
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the issue of younger workers dropping out of the labour market due to mental ill health, driving an increase in economic inactivity.
Will my right hon. Friend keep the focus on how a close link with the employment support agency and the labour market can be maintained?
It is essential for the Department to do whatever it can at the early stages to support those with mental health issues who are already in work, particularly those who are in danger of falling out of work.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or timeline were provided
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the effectiveness of Access to Work, a vital resource for those seeking support due to mental ill health.
Will the Secretary of State tell us how many people are currently waiting for Access to Work to help them? The charity Scope says that the number of disabled people waiting for a decision on their award in March 2022 was nearly 21,000. That is an increase of 327% on the same point the previous year.
I would be very happy to write to the hon. Lady on exactly how many people are waiting for access to that scheme. We should not in any way play down the importance of the Access to Work scheme, which is highly successful and provides up to nine months of support.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific numbers were provided
Will Write
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the effectiveness and delays in the Access to Work scheme, impacting individuals' ability to secure employment support.
When will the Secretary of State sort it out? The charity Scope says that the number of disabled people waiting for a decision on their award in March 2022 was nearly 21,000. That is an increase of 327% on the same point the previous year.
I stand by our record on encouraging disabled people back into work. We were set a target for dramatically increasing the employment level for disabled people by 2027 and met that target of 1 million new disabled people in work a full five years early.
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Assessment & feedback
No timeline or action plan was provided to address delays
Change Of Subject
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the issue of economic inactivity due to mental illness, which has increased by 22% since 2019.
What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of people who are out of work owing to mental ill health? Since 2019, economic inactivity due to mental illness and nervous disorders has increased by 22%. People with mental ill health need support in order to get back into work.
The Department for Work and Pensions provides specialist help for those who are suffering from mental ill health, both through the Access to Work scheme and by funding advisers in the NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services in England.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific steps were detailed
Response accuracy