People with ‘mild’ mental health problems will be told to get therapy and get back to work under disability benefit cash clampdown targeting 3.5million as minister says some are just struggling with the ‘ups and downs of life’ [Video]

04:39 EDT 29 Apr 2024, updated 07:14 EDT 29 Apr 2024

Ministers will tell people with ‘mild’ mental health problems to get therapy and get back to work this week as they seek to reduce the 3.5million disability benefits bill. 

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is set to announce plans to overhaul the way disability benefits work in a statement to the Commons on Monday, with proposals aimed at providing ‘more tailored support in line with their needs’. 

The consultation comes as part of what the government claims is the largest overhaul to the system in a generation, which could see people receive vouchers instead of regular monthly payments.

It is the latest government attempt to reduce the number of people in the UK who are registered as long-term sick and unable to work. Last week Mr Sunak announced a clampdown on ‘sicknote culture’ with changes to the way people are signed off.

Mel Stride, the Work and Pensions Secretary, …