Mental Health Matters are today calling on the government to confirm the future of the Employment Advisors in Talking Therapies programme and give reassurances to both the workforce and people who access the services alike.

Commenting on behalf of Mental Health Matters, Director of Development, Sarah Wileman said:

"As a provider of the Employment Advisors in Talking Therapies services in Essex, Worcestershire and Durham, amongst others, we are deeply concerned about the lack of clarity on the future of the programme’s funding.

The NHS noted only in January, that almost 70,000 people accessed mental health employment support through the programme last year alone. However, this vital means of support has been put in a potentially precarious position, as assurances aren’t forthcoming from the Joint Work and Health Unit that the funding stream for these services will be continued.

Offering a clear commitment to continue these services isn’t just the only sensible decision for the personal health of the nation, but the economic health as well. The Centre for Mental Health estimated that the economic cost of mental health in England in 2022 was £110bn, and the government has been clear that it wished to address this, setting out its ambition last week to 'Get Britain Working'. In fact, in her announcement the Work and Pensions Secretary specifically mentioned those with mental health conditions and affirmed that the government would be putting additional funding into employment support programmes.

Considering The Office for National Statistics found in December, that NHS Talking Therapies had improved people’s chances of employment and their pay conditions, and the Employment Advisors programme will be undoubtedly enhancing that, it would be counterproductive to the government’s aims to discontinue a programme with a proven track record of success.

If the government's commitment to supporting people with mental health conditions is a serious one, then they must now urgently commit to the long-term funding security for the Employment Advisors programme."