Thousands of individuals within the UK are being deemed incapable of any work each month resulting from psychological well being issues, figures have proven.

According to official knowledge printed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), not less than 20,000 incapacity profit claims are for psychological well being issues – making up greater than two-thirds of the whole.

Previous figures have proven that psychological well being and studying disabilities are among the many fundamental contributors to incapacity advantages, that are paid no matter whether or not somebody can work. But till now, there had been no such knowledge for incapacity advantages paid via common credit score when individuals battle to work.

DWP figures present that 2 million persons are receiving common credit score well being advantages, up 400,000 in a yr, with 69% of them judged unfit for any work.

Of all of the assessments made within the final two years, 69% concerned “mental and behavioural disorders”. Back and joint issues had been cited in 48% of claims, whereas nervous illnesses corresponding to persistent ache and metabolic issues corresponding to diabetes and weight problems had been every cited in 15%.

Heart illness and different circulatory issues and digestive diseases had been cited in additional than 20% of circumstances. Cancers and a few terminal diseases are considered underrepresented within the knowledge, which doesn’t but cowl all claims.

Claimants have 2.7 well being situations on common, prompting specialists to warn that there is no such thing as a fast repair for a advantages invoice that’s surging because of more and more advanced diseases. Officials stress that the info doesn’t distinguish which is the first driver of sickness.

Christopher Rocks, of the Health Foundation thinktank, mentioned the info “reinforces the increasing importance of mental health on people’s ability to work”.

“Ill health is driving the rise of people on out-of-work benefits and having a significant impact on the economy,” he mentioned, calling for “tailored support” somewhat than authorities crackdowns on jobseekers.

“Some recent government measures are a step in the right direction but can be scaled up and go further,” he mentioned. “However, measures that restrict benefit entitlement for people with work-limiting health conditions risk being counterproductive.”

Nil Güzelgün, of the psychological well being charity Mind, mentioned the info “highlights the acute need for mental health support”, citing the 1.9 million individuals on ready lists for NHS psychological well being therapy.

“People would love to work if they had access to the mental health support they need but that support just isn’t there,” she mentioned. “People need to be offered tailored support from experts if they are to return to work, not threats of losing what little money they currently have to live on.”

A DWP spokesperson mentioned: “Our landmark welfare reforms will cut the number of people due to be put on to the highest tier of incapacity benefits by over 370,000 and instead give them personalised support, while our chance to work guarantee will enable people to try work without fear of losing their benefits.”