Oral Answers to Questions

Joanna Cherry Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Callum McCaig (Aberdeen South) (SNP)]

2. If he will make an assessment of the potential effect of benefit sanctions on claimants’ mental health.

[Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West) (SNP)]

7. If he will make an assessment of the potential effect of benefit sanctions on claimants’ mental health.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

15. If he will make an assessment of the potential effect of benefit sanctions on claimants’ mental health.

--- Later in debate ---

[Priti Patel]

The Department carries out reviews to identify whether any lessons can be learned. I should emphasise that the Information Commissioner has considered this issue and upheld the Department’s decision not to publish the details because of the level of personal information they contain. For that reason, it would be unlawful to release this information.

[Joanna Cherry]

In 2014, the Scottish Association for Mental Health, Scotland’s leading mental health charity, published research that found that 98% of its service users said that their mental health had deteriorated as a direct result of welfare reform. Further research this year by the same charity at the facility it runs in my constituency at Redhall walled garden confirmed that benefit sanctions had been detrimental to the mental health of service users there. What steps will the Government take to address the adverse effects of benefit sanctions on those with mental health problems?

[Priti Patel]

Sanctions play an important part in the labour market by encouraging and supporting people to go back to work. Jobcentre Plus staff are trained to support claimants with mental health conditions during their job search and such individuals have access to more expert advice, should it be needed.