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The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has announced changes to the welfare system in her .

Responding to the plans, Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the 免费黑料网, said:  

“Today’s Spring Statement will have far-reaching repercussions for people who, despite their best efforts, are unable to work because of severe mental illness. Unfortunately, these measures are likely to be detrimental.

“At present, people with a mental illness are not included in the current NHS plans to reduce waiting lists, which means that they cannot access much-needed mental healthcare in a timely fashion and their illnesses worsen, increasing the likelihood of them becoming disabled as a result. 

“The UK Government’s own analysis shows the vast majority of households that will be worse off as a result of these reforms have a person with a disability, including those with mental illness. 

“It is simply illogical not to prioritise mental healthcare and yet at the same time to treat people with mental illness in this way. 

“We are also concerned that plans to reduce and freeze incapacity benefits for new claimants will push vulnerable people with mental illness further into poverty and this hardship will in many cases make them sicker. This will make it more difficult, not less, for people to work, and place further pressure on already overstretched mental health services.  

“Many people who have a mental illness can work if they are provided with psychiatric care and treatment alongside employment support. For example, talking therapies that include assistance from employment advisors are shown to significantly benefit those with common mental disorders. Services, such as Individual Placement Support, can double the chances of someone with severe mental illness gaining employment, are cost effective and reduce hospital admissions

“A significant proportion of the ?1 billion announced for employment support measures must be dedicated to assisting people who have a mental illness.

“The Office for Budget Responsibility is not forecasting employment rates to increase, which indicates that for people who might be able to work with appropriate support and treatment, the opportunities may not even exist, and this must also be addressed.  

“These cuts will be particularly devastating for people with severe mental illness for whom work may not be an option, and do not reflect the UK Government’s commitment to protect those with the most significant disabilities and illnesses.

“We urgently need a welfare system that empowers people with mental illness to thrive in the job market without penalising those who may always be too sick to work. The UK Government must take an evidence-based approach that delivers individualised support and recognises the need for fully resourced mental health services.”