James Clappison

 (Shadow Minister, Work & Pensions; Hertsmere, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of people in receipt of incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance had their capability for work assessed as limited by mental ill-health in each year since 1997.

Jonathan R Shaw

 (Minister of State (Disabled People), Regional Affairs; Chatham & Aylesford, Labour)

The number of people claiming incapacity benefit has fallen in recent years. The number of people claiming for physical conditions has fallen significantly as a result of Government programmes to get more people who are able to work back into suitable employment. The number of people claiming incapacity benefit for mental health conditions has remained broadly unchanged over the last few years.

The Government are developing more action to help those with mental health conditions get back into work including a new Mental Health and Employment strategy due to be published in the autumn and the Perkins review on how we help people with mental health conditions back into work.

We have replaced the old system of incapacity benefits with the more work-focused employment and support allowance to engage with people more actively and to ensure they are aware of opportunities available.

The essential rule for entitlement to either incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance does not depend on an individual's diagnosis or condition, but on the effect that condition, or a combination of conditions, has on each individual's mental and physical function.

Information for employment and support allowance is not yet available. Information for incapacity benefit is provided in the following table.

There is no clear evidence for the increase in mental illness as the main disabling condition. Informed suggestions for the increase are multi-factorial and include:

(i) Better diagnosis—particularly of behavioural conditions such as autism;

(ii) Less stigma—more people are willing to talk about the mental health issues affecting them;

(iii) Better treatment of physical conditions—particularly musculo-skeletal conditions; and

(iv) The changing nature of business—work intensity.

The Government believe that, with the right help and support, many more people with a mental health condition or disability can achieve independent and fulfilling lives, including through employment.

We have successfully introduced the more work-focused employment and support allowance for new customers, engaging with people more actively and ensuring they are aware of support and opportunities available. Pathways to Work, including the condition management programme, is available to everyone receiving incapacity benefits and employment and support allowance in Great Britain. Evidence on its effectiveness for customers with mental health conditions is mainly positive. A study of existing customers found that the employment impact for customers with mental health conditions was higher than for those without.

We have also committed to ensuring that the personalised support delivered through Pathways to Work is as co-ordinated as possible with the increase in mental health treatment provision delivered through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme in England, and similar programmes in Scotland and Wales.

From December, we will pilot an occupational health helpline for employers, especially small and micro businesses, to help them to manage and support people who have mental health conditions to remain in or return to work.