Commenting on today’s release of new DWP statistics on sanctions for people with mental health conditions on ESA, Emily said:

“It is an absolute disgrace that the DWP has sanctioned more than 42,000 people with mental health problems in the last five years. This is not about getting people into work. 

“Despite a six-fold increase in the number of monthly sanctions, there has been no corresponding increase in employment for people with mental health issues, which should tell Ministers all they need to know.

“But sadly, this Government seems to have lost all interest in looking at any evidence, as Priti Patel showed just yesterday. Her refusal to carry out a review of the impact of sanctions on people’s mental health shows that the Tories’ policies are all based on rhetoric, not reality.

“It’s time the Government put less effort into trying to look tough and spent more time actually helping people find the jobs that are right for them.”