Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to help reduce the level of work absence as a result of mental ill health.

My department and I work closely with our counterparts in DHSC on work and health measures, and we have a joint directorate reporting to us that is charged with improving recruitment, retention and the success at work of disabled people and people with long term health conditions.

We have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals with mental health conditions to stay in work and get back into work. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies. The Employment Advice in Talking Therapies programme – which is joint funded by the DWP and Department for Health & Social Care - combines the expertise of therapists and employment advisers to give those with mental health conditions the support they need to find work tailored to them, while Access to Work Mental Health Support Service (MHSS) provides up to 9 months of personalised, non-clinical support for people who need mental health support while in employment.

Employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions to thrive as part of the workforce. Our support to employers includes a digital information service for employers and the Disability Confident scheme.