Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the impact on the mental health of people receiving benefits of the recent increase in the cost of living.

No specific assessment has been made on the impact on the mental health of people receiving benefits of the recent increase in the cost of living. The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living: that is why it is providing over £37 billion of support this year. This includes the £650 Cost of Living Payment which is designed to target support at low-income households on means-tested benefits. In addition, 6 million eligible disabled people will receive a one-off, disability Cost of Living Payment of £150. And pensioner households will receive a separate one-off payment of £300 (through and as an addition to the Winter Fuel Payment).

People that are receiving benefits can access mental health support in a number of ways such as seeking a referral from GP in the first instance. In addition, all NHS mental health providers have established 24/7 all-age urgent mental health helplines for people in crisis or for those worried about someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Details of these helplines are available on the NHS website at: Where to get urgent help for mental health - NHS (www.nhs.uk). Administrative data on mental health support and benefit receipt are not routinely linked so we cannot estimate the number of people on benefits who receive mental health support.

Evidence suggests that good, appropriate paid work can be beneficial for individuals' health and wellbeing. We offer specialist support for people with mental health conditions to stay in and return to work, often working jointly with the health system, through:

• our Employment Advice in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (EAs in IAPT) services. Since 2017 we have invested a total of £82million on expanding the number of EAs in IAPT services and we have committed to expand the service across England. Evidence on EAs in IAPT found that those receiving employment support in addition to mental health support showed greater improvements to their mental health compared to those receiving mental health support alone. In addition, those out of work on entry to the EAs in IAPT service were more likely to be active in the labour market (through employment or looking for employment) at the end of their treatment than those receiving mental health support alone. Employment Advisers (EAs) work with JCP colleagues to ensure that JCP clients who could benefit from IAPT treatment are signposted to receive an IAPT assessment.
• the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service
• the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot across the Midlands Engine region, which seeks out opportunities to improve productivity through improving employee's mental health.
• our trials of Individual Placement and Support for people with common mental health and/or physical health conditions.

We will also work closely with DHSC and other government departments in supporting the new cross government 10-year plan for mental health and wellbeing for England.