Achieving higher labour market participation in the United Kingdom

This chapter takes stock of the recent major reforms to the UK disability benefit scheme (now known as the Employment and Support Allowance) and addresses the challenges that remain including i) paying more attention to mental ill-health, ii) providing support that addresses both employment and health-related barriers and iii) balancing rights and responsibilities. It also examines the employment support provisions delivered to disability and unemployment beneficiaries via the new contracted Work Programme the incentives of providers to prioritise claimants with health problems and more generally the ability of the system to deal with mental health issues in view of the high prevalence of mental illness among benefit recipients, including recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Mental Health and Work: United Kingdom

Achieving higher labour market participation in the United Kingdom

The role of the welfare system