Brits on benefits are ‘self-diagnosing’ their mental health problems, admits Work and Pensions Secretary

BRITS connected benefits are “self-diagnosing” their intelligence wellness problems, the Work and Pensions Secretary admitted yesterday.

Liz Kendall said that societal media and little stigma astir intelligence unwellness has contributed to a immense emergence successful the fig of economically inactive adults.

On Tuesday Ms Kendall volition unveil details of large reforms to deflate Britain’s payment Bill by £3billion implicit 5 years.

The projected changes could spot 400,000 radical person their benefits cut.

Universal credit recipients who garbage occupation offers oregon to prosecute successful skills grooming look sanctions connected their handouts.

There are presently 4.2 cardinal moving aged radical claiming health-related benefits, with the fig acceptable to emergence by 30 per cent by the extremity of the decade.

Ms Kendall told the BBC: “I bash deliberation we are seeing an summation successful the fig of radical with intelligence health problems, some self-diagnosed - I deliberation it's bully that stigma has been reduced - but besides diagnosed by doctors.”

Asked whether she believed that "normal feelings" were being "over medicalised", the Work and Pensions Secretary said: "I genuinely judge there's not 1 elemental thing.

“There is simply a genuine occupation with mental health successful this country."

Yesterday the Tories accused Labour ministers of “pussyfooting” astir intelligence wellness issues and the request to “reduce costs”.

Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: “There are immoderate radical successful hopeless situations with depression.

“But getting radical into enactment is usually bully for those people. So that's what we've got to do.

“I deliberation we person pussyfooted astir it and yet we request to truly alteration that attack present and truly tackle this contented portion we can.”