The Government’s plans to reduce disability and incapacity benefits and eligibility will drive more people into poverty and cause significant risks of harm to mental health, Centre for Mental Health warned today.
Responding to the Spring Statement, Andy Bell, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: “Our social security system was created as a safety net for citizens who are unable to work or who are living with a disability. Today’s announcement of further cuts to both Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit may have a devastating impact on those who lose out and face deeper poverty.
“Restricting eligibility for PIP and freezing the health element of Universal Credit will do nothing to help people get into work. They are more likely to make people more ill, more isolated, and less able to work. For many people living with long-term mental health problems, PIP is what enables them to carry on working. Taking it away will make that harder, and could see more people lose their jobs.
“The Government’s analysis indicates that over three million families will be worse off financially as a result of these plans. We know that poverty has a damaging impact on children’s mental health, causing ill-health which can last a lifetime.
“We welcome the Government’s investments to provide better support for disabled people who want to find paid work. Evidence-based employment support can improve people’s standard of living and boost their mental health. However, reducing social security payments will undermine these efforts.”
