Voters say psychological well being help over profit cuts is finest solution to get younger again into work
EXCLUSIVE: The survey for More in Common found the most popular measure for getting young people with mental health conditions back into work is to increase access to support
Over a million young people are currently out of work, education or training(Image: Getty Images)
Voters believe faster access to mental health support over cuts to benefits is the best way to get young people back to work.
The finding in a survey for More in Common pollsters comes ahead of a major report into fixing the ‘Neets’ crisis by the former Labour Cabinet minister Alan Milburn in the autumn. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also declared it a “mission” to reduce the over one million 18-24-year-olds not in employment, education, or training.
According to the survey shared with The Mirror, a majority of all voters believe many young people are out of work because it is too easy to claim benefits instead of working. But the conclusion was not shared by 18-24-year-olds, the results show.
A majority (51%) of respondents in this age bracket said many were out of employment due to mental health problems genuinely preventing them from working. The survey also found the most popular measure for getting young people with mental health conditions back into work is to increase access to support.
Respondents were asked to select up to two responses, and the statement with the largest share on 40% was faster access to mental health treatment. Other options including requirements to look for work, more support from employers, and reducing benefits, all came in joint second on 30%. Just over 22% said better training and qualifications.
Alongside the report into the ‘Neets’ crisis, Sir Stephen Timms, the DWP minister, is also expected to publish a separate review on reform of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) this autumn. He warned last month the main disability benefit, which was introduced in 2013 to help towards the extra costs of disability and support independent living, was “not fit for purpose”.
It was ordered last year after ex-PM Keir Starmer was forced to rip up plans to slash £5billion from sickness and disability benefits in the wake of a major Labour rebellion. UK director of More in Common Luke Tryl said: “The public don’t need convincing that there is a real problem with young people and worklessness.
“Nearly two in three Britons say many young people are out of work because it has become too easy to claim benefits, and a majority say the bigger problem with PIP is that it is going to people who do not need it – a view shared by nearly half of Labour’s own 2024 voters. The public has an appetite for reform to get the benefits bill down.
“But while the public agree with that diagnosis, their prescription is not simply cuts, but often greater support. Asked what would do most to get young people with mental health conditions into work, the answer chosen most often is faster access to mental health treatment – ahead of tougher conditions or reducing what people can claim.”
“That is the balance Burnham’s Government may need to tread as the Timms Review reports this autumn. Britons want a welfare system that gets people back to work, but they also want to ensure that mental health support is there for those who need it.”
Writing for The Mirror earlier this week – as the government announced the next phase in the roll-out of new mental health units – Mr Burnham also warned of “a profound mental health crisis impacting younger generations”. But he added: “There are those who are quick to criticise young people today, but that’s never been my way. Our country’s future depends on them – and they will have this government’s support.
“The overwhelming majority of the one million young people not in education, employment or training want the chance to build their future. But poor mental health, combined with a system that can’t keep up, robs them of that opportunity. These new NHS facilities will help get lives moving again.”
::: More in Common polled a representative weighted sample of 3,384 GB adults between July 31 and August 2, 2026
