We respond to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's comments on mental health treatment and social security

This morning the Prime Minister discussed the levels of people receiving benefits due to mental ill-health, particularly young people, on BBC Radio 4. He suggested that it might be better to invest funds in mental health treatment rather than in providing social security. 

Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said:

"There are a record 1.8 million people on mental health waiting lists, with many falling into crisis and losing their jobs as they face extraordinarily long waits for treatment. We agree with the Prime Minister that more money should be invested in helping people access treatment. At the same time, we know secure work protects mental health, but many do not receive the right support into employment, and simply cutting someone's financial lifeline alone will be counterproductive. The real task is to build capacity in the health system and expand targeted employment programmes, done sensitively but quickly, to reduce economic inactivity among young people. This requires government working closely with frontline organisations to get it right.”