THOUSANDS of people in Shropshire are receiving benefits because of mental and behavioural disorders, figures show.

The Employment and Support Allowance is provided to people who are struggling to work because of long-term health conditions, and is available to those unable to work completely or those whose hours are limited by their condition.

Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions show 2,889 people in Shropshire were claiming ESA due to mental or behavioural conditions as of last summer – 46 per cent of the 6,289 claimants in the area.

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These conditions accounted for almost half of the 1.6 million people claiming the benefit across Great Britain and were the most common reason in every area and region.

In Shropshire, they were followed by 'musculoskeletal' diseases – which includes issues with joints, bones and muscles – with 799 people receiving ESA.

These figures show the primary diagnosis when people are first assessed for the ESA – there may be more people with mental health problems as a secondary condition which are not counted in the data.

Megan Pennell, head of public affairs and campaigns for Mind, said a lack of mental health support – including lengthy waiting lists for NHS mental health services – was keeping people out of the job market.

She said: "We are concerned about the increasing rhetoric suggesting that benefits for disabled people and people experiencing long-term health conditions should be reduced. At the time of a cost-of-living crisis, this is unconscionable.

"People need to be offered tailored support from experts if they are to return to work, not threats of losing what little money they currently have to live on."

Fewer people are claiming the ESA as the Government moves towards using Universal Credit for those with health conditions.

As of December 2023, two million people were on Universal Credit health benefits, including 6,994 in Shropshire. This was a rise from 1.6 million (5,730 in Shropshire) a year earlier.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation – an anti-poverty charity – said these benefits are "inadequate" and can make people with mental health problems feel worse.

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A DWP spokesperson said: "We are taking the long-term decisions to help everyone who can work to do so, improving lives and growing the economy.

"Our landmark welfare reforms will cut the number of people due to be put onto the highest tier of incapacity benefits by over 370,000 and instead give them personalised support, while our Chance to Work Guarantee will mean people can try work without fear of losing their benefits.

"In total our £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan will help over a million people to break down barriers to work, including those with disabilities and long-term health conditions."