Mental health charity deems Conservative Party’s Work Capability Assessment unrealistic

News release: 8 January 2008

In response to the Conservative Party’s proposal to introduce the new Work Capability Assessment for those claiming Incapacity Benefit, Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, today said:

The proposal, in the Work for Welfare green paper, would be very unlikely to achieve a drop in the numbers of mentally unwell people receiving incapacity benefit. Very few people claim benefits for a mental health problem under false pretences – the new assessment and threatening to take away the financial support will only scare the vast majority of genuine claimants who need incapacity benefit to survive.

Action needs to be taken to improve the currently inadequate support for the majority of people with experience of mental ill health claiming incapacity benefits who want to find and keep a job. We must also tackle workplace discrimination which is often the real barrier for those wishing to return to work – many employers just don’t want to give a job to a person with a history of mental illness.”

Facts

• 34% of people on incapacity benefit have a mental or behavioral problem (486,000 out of 1.4 million people).
  [Ref - The Department for Work and Pensions Tabulation Tool, May 2007]

• A national study has found that fewer than 40% of British employers would consider giving a job to a person with a history of mental illness. [Ref - Mental Health and Social Exclusion, Office of the Deputy prime Minister, 2004]
   
• In a survey, over 85% of people with a mental health problem actively wanted to find a job.
  [Ref - Stanley K, Maxwell, D Fit for Purpose? London 2004]

• According the Department of Work and Pensions only 0.1% of incapacity benefits payments are thought to be the result of fraudulent claims.
  [Ref - Department of Work and Pensions website]

Notes to editors

For further information, please contact Fran Gorman on 020 7803 1128 or email fgorman@mhf.org.uk

For more on the discrimination faced by those with mental health problems please find the Mental Health Foundation’s report, Actions Speak Louder

The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness.  We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.

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