Give firms which tackle mental health ‘tax break’
BUSINESSES which ‘go the extra mile’ to tackle mental health and cut sickness absence could be given tax breaks.
That was the pledge from Conservative West Midlands Mayor candidate Andy Street who is promising to gain Government backing for a ‘wellbeing premium’ to promote good mental health at work.
The former John Lewis chief made his call on the day the West Midlands Combined Authority launched its own mental health commission report.
He said: “While employers have realised the importance of physical health, we need them to value mental health just as much.”
He welcomed the mental health action plan as a ‘major step forward’ and promised to implement it in full.
“I will personally commit to securing Government approval for a ‘Wellbeing Premium’ pilot which would give tax incentives to businesses that go the extra mile. This will be in their interests because it will reduce staff sickness absence and improve productivity.
“New York has a sations work to reduce the impact of mental ill health and providing support to those in need.
He said: “I want us all to work together in the region to get rid of the stigma around mental health and make people think about it differently.
“We need to realise that this is our responsibility – as individuals, organisations and communities – and take the initiative to look after ourselves and each other.”
The action plan is informed by recommendations from people with personal experience of mental health issues as well as top level academic research.
Last year the WMCA set up a commission led by Lib Dem MP and former care minister Norman Lamb, who said: “I want this to be the start of a journey for the West Midlands – the moral and the economic case for acting is unanswerable and the work we plan to develop would be internationally significant. The West Midlands will be part of a global network of leading cities and city regions which are doing major projects on mental health – this will be something this region can be very proud of.”
The other mayoral candidates are: James Burn (Green), Pete Durnell (UKIP), Beverley Nielson (Lib Dems), and Siôn Simon (Labour).