Government must wake up to cost of mental health

Commenting on today's report by Dame Carol Black calling for a new approach to work related health services, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander said:

"This report highlights once more the human and economic cost of mental health which the Government has ignored for years.

"Richard Layard's report highlighted the cost of mental health four years ago, yet the Government is still commissioning reviews rather than tackling the problem.

"Ministers must get help to people sooner instead of leaving them languishing on benefits for months. The delay often makes tackling problems more difficult.

"Any new services the Government introduces must provide personalised support to keep people in long-term work."