Bradford mental health groups hit out at Prime Minister

Rishi Sunak came out last week with a plan for welfare reforms and one of the proposed changes was a consultation on a “more objective and rigorous approach” in the benefits system”.

He wants to have so-called specialist work and health professionals charged with the responsibility for issuing fit notes instead of GPs.

But his choice of language and proposals have been heavily criticised by mental health groups, including those in Bradford.

The Cellar Trust, based in Shipley, has been providing support for those struggling with their mental health across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale, and Craven for more than 35 years, including helping people back into employment.

Plans were submitted in February for a multi-million-pound health, well-being and community centre, which will be run by The Cellar Trust with input from HALE, also based in Shipley.

Kim Shutler, CEO of The Cellar Trust (Image: Other)

Kim Shutler, CEO of the charity, described the Government’s current and proposed policy, as well as the Prime Minister’s comments, as “concerning”.

She said: “Our experience is the vast majority of people want to be in work.

“Work is good for your mental health but only if it is good work.

“The consequence of forcing people back into the wrong work or when they are unwell is even higher levels of sickness absence which is terrible for the individuals concerned and a challenge for employers.

“Punitive benefits sanctions in our experience just provide set backs for people in terms of their health.

“Words are important and poorly chosen ones lead to further stigma and shame which helps no one.”

NHS England data shows that GPs covered by the Bradford District and Craven Integrated Care Board (ICB) handed out 269,890 sicknotes over the past two years for various reasons – dropping from 137,029 in 2022 to 132,861 in 2023.

Less than one per cent of these (2,369 sicknotes) were recorded as being due to mental and behavioural disorders.

A spokesperson for AndysMansClub said: "The prime minister's comments are not at all conducive to the issues men face on a day to day in Bradford and across the wider nation.

“As we are all aware, men are less likely to open up on the issues they face in life, and the likelihood is that many men will only open up after ending up in a position of crisis.

“This is down to a number of reasons, but chiefly down to the feeling from men that they are weak, or burdening those around them by bringing up their issues.

“This statement only serves to further demonise men for opening up on their issues and accepting help, and these proposed changes will only enforce yet another barrier to men speaking out.

“It would be refreshing to see an acknowledgment that male suicide numbers are only increasing, and to see some actions taken to reverse this, as opposed to these efforts to invalidate the struggles men face."