“Articles of faith”? Questioning the assumptions of disability welfare and benefits

Abstract

PurposeThe Policy Watch series reflects on recent and forthcoming developments in mental health policy across the UK. This paper aims to review the impact of welfare reforms on people with mental health problems. As well as focusing at specific problems with the current system, the paper criticises the general “direction of travel” in welfare policy and calls for a rethink of fundamental assumptions that underpin this.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews and summarizes recent and longer term developments in national welfare and benefits policy in England and Wales and their implications for people with mental health problems.FindingsThe paper describes how key components of the current disability benefits system are not working for people with mental health problems and also how the design of welfare reform over recent years has been ineffective for supporting the health and employment aspirations of people with mental health problems.Originality/valueThe paper updates and discusses knowledge on recent and forthcoming welfare reform and cites recent evidence from Government.