Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to provide an appropriate level of support to people with mental health problems on employment and support allowance participating in the Work Programme.

Work Programme providers have the flexibility to design an innovative and personalised approach to help people into work. Many providers offer mental health and well-being support, either in house or through specialist sub-contractors.

In 2013 the Department set up an independently chaired group to share best practice amongst our providers, sub-contractors and representatives from the voluntary sector and national charities. The Best Practice Report was published last month and includes a focus on supporting the harder to help, including those with mental health issues. The Department has accepted the vast majority of recommendations within the report and has begun to implement them.