IFS report shows that the Tories’ cruel and relentless austerity policies are pushing people into mental ill health - Keeley

Barbara Keeley MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Mental Health, commenting on research from the IFS which shows that 40% of those with a mental health problem are in relative poverty, said:

"This report sadly shows that the Tories’ cruel and relentless austerity policies are pushing people into mental ill health.

“The damaging impact of financial pressures, poor living standards and insecure work under the Tories are at the root of these alarming figures, while the underfunding of mental health services means that poorer people are less likely to recover from psychological therapies when they develop mental ill health.

“The next Labour government will end austerity and invest in mental health services, ring-fencing budgets so that funding reaches the frontline.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• ·         Poorer people were less likely to recover as a result of treatment under the IAPT programme than the better-off.https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/26/mental-health-patients-seeking-treatment-face-postcode-lottery