Mental health charity Mind warns that cutting benefits will deepen the mental health crisis for people on low incomes
Mind’s caution about the detrimental effects of benefit cuts on the mental health of low-income individuals highlights not only the personal toll but also the added strain on the already struggling NHS mental health services.
This report follows the UK Government’s Spring Statement, which announced upcoming changes to health and disability benefits. Some changes include universal credit rates not increasing in 2026/27, additional fraud measures, and increased capacity for PIP award reviews.
Mental health outcomes are worse for people on low incomes
There are 1.6 million people on mental health waiting lists, and this is causing a mental health crisis, increasing physical health problems, and deepening financial stress and relationship difficulties and breakdowns.
These outcomes are far more likely for people on low incomes (under £19k), who are also more likely to engage with mental health services and leave employment whilst they wait for treatment.
Mind’s new research shows the correlation between poverty and mental health, as people fail to meet basic needs, such as choosing between heating and eating, all while waiting for mental health support.
With the UK Government’s proposed benefit changes, the nation’s mental health crisis will worsen, and additional demand will be placed on the NHS and other services.
75% of people on low incomes report that their mental health has worsened while on a waiting list
Mind surveyed more than 1500 people with mental health problems about their experiences of mental health waiting lists, it found:
- Three in four (75%) of people on low incomes said their mental health got worse while on a waiting list, compared to 64% of people earning above £40k.
- Two in three (67%) people on low incomes said they experienced a deterioration in their physical health while waiting for treatment, compared to just 53% for people earning over £40k.
- Nearly one in three (30%) people on low incomes said they’d been in contact with mental health crisis services while waiting, compared to less than one in five (19%) of people earning over £40k.
- Of those who said waiting lists impacted their work, nearly two in five (39%) of people on low incomes had to stop working compared with 19% of those earning over £40k.
- More than half (54%) of people on a low income said their financial situation got worse while on a mental health waiting list, compared to 37% of people earning over £40k.
The government needs to tackle waiting lists
Following their research, Mind calls on the government to rethink benefit cuts, which will drive people into poverty. Addressing the broader barriers people face entering and staying in work should be a focus for the government.
The charity calls for a detailed plan to tackle mental health waiting lists, like the government’s Elective Reform Plan for physical health conditions, so more people can be well enough to work. The charity also calls for prioritising mental health in its upcoming 10-year Health Plan and Spending Review.
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said: “This research shows the toxic relationship between poverty and mental health. Behind each of these numbers is a real person struggling with their mental health and, for too many, the extra challenges of poor housing, insecure work and covering the cost of living. It’s a story our local Minds see in their communities, and it’s a story that will only get worse if the government presses ahead with cuts to benefits.
“The government’s proposals to slash the safety net that many depend on while they wait for treatment risks creating a devastating situation for people with mental health problems. These changes would do nothing to tackle the barriers to work faced by people with a mental health problem, and instead plunge individuals into poverty, put people at risk of worsening health outcomes, and make tackling waiting lists an even greater challenge.
“The UK government has an ambitious plan to fix the NHS, but if ministers are serious about this, they must give mental and physical health the same focus and attention, and match words with actions. We have a detailed plan to tackle elective waiting lists, where is the plan for mental health? We can and must do better.”
