Dear friend,
We are sure you share our dismay at the sounds coming from Westminster today, threatening to restrict access to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Reducing entitlement to essential financial support will put people living with mental ill health at risk and do nothing to boost economic activity. We will be making the case to government about the dangers of their proposals. We’ve shared our concerns about the recent uptick in harmful rhetoric on mental health in a recent blog and podcast episode.
In other news, last week we released a new report alongside the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition exploring what’s driving the rise in school absence. Our research shows that school absence rates have risen in tandem with mental health problems and rising waiting times for support for children and young people.
We believe a new approach to school absenteeism is needed: one that addresses the mental health and other barriers preventing children from attending school, and makes sure that children get the support they need both inside and outside the school gates.
Zainab Shafan-Azhar
Policy & Public Affairs Assistant
Children & Young People’s Mental Health Coalition
