Neets with mental health issues 'better off in work than on benefits', McFadden says
By Google News Personal Finance ·
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Young people with mental health challenges or neurodiversity are better off working than on benefits, the Work and Pensions Secretary has said, as he promised major welfare overhauls in 2027.
Employment is "part of the answer" for the 45% of young people not in employment, education or training (Neets) who have mental health conditions or are neurodiverse, Pat McFadden explained.
The senior Government minister made the claim when asked by ITV News why Neet numbers grew from 21% in 2014.
Mr McFadden told the broadcaster: "There’s been a big change in recent years. In the last five or six years, maybe the last 10 years, we’ve had a really big increase in young people saying that they are unfit for work, very often because of mental health or neurodiverse conditions.
"I’m concerned about that because I think that while there’s greater prevalence of these conditions, I don’t think it should lead to a life of inactivity and a life on benefits."
He was speaking on a fact-finding trip to Denmark, where the Fleksjob scheme enables people with disabilities or health conditions to remain employed on reduced hours or with adjustments instead of taking sick leave.
Employers pay wages, topped up by local government subsidies.
Mr McFadden added: “I think for many people, work is part of the answer. Work is good for you and the people that I’ve met here in Denmark who benefited from the Fleksjob scheme, they are living examples of that.
“Every single person I met here in Denmark, who’ve been helped to work through the Fleksjob scheme that they operate in this country, said not only had it given them money to earn, but they felt better mentally by coming…
Originally published by Google News Personal Finance
