Mental Health

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 18 July 2005.

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Photo of John Pugh John Pugh Shadow Minister (Transport) 2:30, 18 July 2005

What steps he is taking to get people with long-term mental health problems back into work; and if he will make a statement.

Photo of Margaret Hodge Margaret Hodge Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) (Work)

We want to support the many people with mental health conditions who want to keep their jobs or to return to work. For many, work helps them to maintain or regain their confidence and self-esteem and improves their mental health and well-being. Our new deal for disabled people and pathways to work are two schemes that demonstrate what works best for people with long-term mental health problems. We will build on that knowledge and success in the proposals that we expect to publish in the autumn.

Photo of John Pugh John Pugh Shadow Minister (Transport)

I thank the Minister for her response. Given that mental health problems account for as much benefit money as back problems, the public stigma attached to such problems and the lack of public understanding of them, does she agree with Mind that we need a more proactive approach both to helping people with mental health problems into work and to keeping them there?

Photo of Margaret Hodge Margaret Hodge Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) (Work)

I agree entirely with that proposition. We do need a more proactive approach, which is why the Government have been introducing innovative new schemes such as pathways to work and the new deal for disabled people, and why the Green Paper that we shall put forward in the autumn will cover this very issue. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will join the debate which we hope will stem from that Green Paper.

Photo of Roger Berry Roger Berry Labour, Kingswood

One source of support for those with mental health problems is the access to work programme, and yet it seems to be one of the best-kept secrets in government. Three out of four employers have not heard of it, let alone know what it does. Will my right hon. Friend give a commitment to the House this afternoon that the Government will engage in a serious publicity programme in relation to access to work and ensure that the effects of that are properly funded—that there is more money for access to work?

Photo of Margaret Hodge Margaret Hodge Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) (Work)

I hope that my hon. Friend will support me in the necessary cuts that might follow were we to double or treble that budget, which I agree is well used. That budget has been doubled since we have been in government, and has been used effectively. With the new obligations on employers arising out of disability discrimination legislation, we are considering how it is right to expect employers, especially public sector employers, to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace for some people with disabilities who work, and how we can reuse some of the money and resources thereby released to get greater take-up. The scheme is undoubtedly popular, and I would love to be able to expand it to its fullest. I agree with him that we should build on what works best.

Photo of Rob Wilson Rob Wilson Conservative, Reading East

Is the Minister aware that her Government are making significant problems for people who are trying to get back into work? I recently visited a mental health charity in my constituency that offers people four hours' work a week in return for the minimum wage. When the minimum wage rises to £5.05, either their benefit or the work that they do at the charity will have to be cut. Will she consider that urgently and try to remedy the situation?

Photo of Margaret Hodge Margaret Hodge Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) (Work)

We are constantly reviewing the limits that enable people to do some work while retaining their full benefits, to have regard to changes in work rates and inflation. It is important for many disabled people who have been locked into benefit dependency for a long time to enjoy the opportunity of a few hours in work as they move into proper paid jobs—[Interruption.] I have just said that we constantly keep the matter under review, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman accepts that as an undertaking.

Photo of Lyn Brown Lyn Brown Labour, West Ham

Does the Minister agree that a good way of reintroducing people into work is through sessional and part-time work? If so, is she aware that the earnings disregard element within the jobseeker's allowance and income support has remained static for many years? Will she agree to consider that in the next Budget?

Photo of Margaret Hodge Margaret Hodge Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) (Work)

We will always review all the earnings disregards to ensure that they are properly set so that we encourage those who have been out of the labour market for a long time to start re-entering it, and to ensure that people get paid the proper rate for the job that they do. We always keep that under review, and I assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to do so over the coming years.