Work, Health and Disability Green Paper

17th April 2017

The Department for Work and Pensions recently consulted on their Work and Health green paper. Although employability is now devolved to Scotland, Jobcentre Plus powers and out of work sickness benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) remain a Westminster responsibility. 

SAMH worked with the following mental health organisations across the UK to challenge the Government’s proposals:

• Mind
• Rethink Mental Health
• Centre for Mental Health
• The Mental Health Foundation
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Hafal

We highlighted the need for Government to work with employers to ensure they support people with mental health problems to enter and return to work, rather than the responsibility being all on the jobseeker. We presented evidence to the Government that Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is the most evidence based and effective way to support people with severe and enduring mental health problems into work. We called for more people with mental health problems to receive Access to Work support. We made a strong case to the Government not to proceed with their proposals to extend sanctions to people who are too unwell to work. We contrasted this approach with the Scottish Government’s decision to make their employment programmes voluntary and not subject to sanctions.

You can read our full response here.