Tackle economic activity by addressing mental health – Mind
Leading mental health charity responds to latest UK labour market survey from Office for National Statistics (ONS), calling for tailored support
Poor mental health is causing a mass exodus of staff from the workplace. That’s according to leading mental health charity Mind, in response to latest official figures showing the state of the UK labour market.
Photo by Campaign Creators
The ONS regularly publishes its latest UK labour market survey, providing estimates for employment, unemployment, economic inactivity and other employment-related statistics. These figures help us track the success – or otherwise – of efforts by the government and private sector to get more people into work, grow the economy and in doing so help fill the ‘black hole’ in public finances.
There’s some good news in the latest ONS release, published on December 17: the number of payrolled employees has risen: in October 2024, the figure had risen by 0.1% or 24,000 individuals compared to the previous month, and by 0.5% or 140,000 people compared to the previous year.
What’s more, the estimated number of workforce jobs in September 2024 was 36.8m, an increase of 0.2% or 73,000 individuals since June. The survey also notes increases in employee jobs and self-employment. These are all modest but positive advances.
Yet unemployment rates for those aged 16+ for the quarter August-October 2024 were up 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous quarter, and up 0.3 percentage points since December 2019 – February 2020, i.e. prior to the Covid pandemic.
Rates for economic activity among those of working age (16-64) for August-October this year have slightly fallen – by 0.2 percentage points – since the previous quarter, and have also fallen compared to last year. However, they are still up by 1.4 percentage points in comparison to pre-pandemic rates.
Now, these various numbers aren’t huge – but then that’s the point: despite concerted efforts to get more people into work, there has been relatively little evident effect.
What can be done about this? The team at mental health charity Mind has long argued that one key issue in levels of employment is the mental health needs of employees. Basically, the numbers won’t improve until those needs are addressed. This, says the charity, could be tackled through legislation that is currently before Parliament.
Then the question is how best to address them. In responding to the latest ONS report, the charity says there is now an urgent need for targeted government action to provide individual placement and support schemes. It also says the current system of statutory sick pay is too inflexible.
Nil Guzelgun, Head of Policy at Mind, says: ‘This latest announcement from the ONS further highlights the impact of mental health problems on our economy. We know that every year 300,000 people leave the workforce due to poor mental health.
‘Many people with mental health problems find themselves in low-paid and insecure jobs, largely due to a lack of support in the workplace. We are particularly concerned about young people who are struggling with their mental health and unable to access support.
‘Today’s data shows that many who are unable to work due to long term illness are eager to find their way back to employment. People with mental health problems – whatever their age – desperately need voluntary and tailored employment support. The UK government must roll out individual placement and support schemes as a matter of urgency. We know that statutory sick pay (SSP) also acts as a barrier for people to stay in work. It is inflexible and the amount people receive is not enough to live on. As the Employment Rights Bill passes through Parliament, we hope that MPs and Lords will suggest amendments to make SSP more flexible and adequate.’
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