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| “We, as a government, believe in the values of freedom, fairness and responsibility, and these ideas embody the thinking behind the Work Programme. So please, engage with us during this collaborative reform process. Talk to us, to DWP officials, and amongst each other. Voice your concerns and make your suggestions. This is a pivotal time for welfare in this country. I urge you all to help us implement the reforms we so desperately need, and play a part getting Britain back to work.” Lord David Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform, Department for Work and Pensions, UK Government, June 2010 |
There is no doubt that mental ill-health presents a major challenge to the well being of our society and the strength of our economy. It blights lives, traps people in poverty and prevents the country from realising the potential of hundreds and thousands of people. It is estimated that at least one in three people of working age will experience some kind of mental health condition such as depression and it is now the most common reason for claiming welfare benefits. Yet, despite its commonality it remains heavily stigmatised and proves an enormous obstacle to entering employment or being supported in the workplace. The new UK Con-Lib Dem government has already outlined ambitious plans to get five million people off benefits and into work and has launched a formal consultation process on how to do this which will end later this year. Following this, it is proposed that new legislation will be brought forward by the turn of the year which will include the creation of a single Work programme to help unemployed people get back into work, ending all other current schemes. Read more... |
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Speakers
Minister for Welfare Reform, Department for Work and
Pensions, UK Government
Chief Executive, Scottish Association for Mental Health
(SAMH)
Head of Undergraduate Medical School and Professor of General
Practice, University of Glasgow
Researcher, Health and Wellbeing, The Work Foundation and author of
the ‘Body and Soul Report’