The Conservatives have committed nearly £730m to expand NHS mental health treatment in England, aiming to reduce rising welfare costs if they secure victory in the

upcoming general election. The funding will enhance talking therapies, such as counseling services, for an additional 500,000 people, which the Conservatives believe will save the economy £12bn annually by helping more working-age benefit claimants secure employment.

Since the pandemic, the number of people unable to work due to health reasons has surged by 33%, reaching 2.8 million, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has emphasized addressing what he calls the "sick note culture" as a central theme of his leadership.

Labour has criticized Mr. Sunak, claiming he is attempting to "disguise the fact that he has caused a spiraling benefits bill."

Mr. Sunak stated, “Reforming welfare is a moral mission. Work provides dignity, purpose, and hope, and I want everyone to overcome barriers to living independent, fulfilling lives. That’s why we’ve announced a significant increase in mental health provision and changes to ensure those who can work, do work.”

The Conservatives plan to implement several reforms previously proposed by Mr. Sunak's government, including overhauling disability benefits for those most in need and tightening work capability assessment criteria. These plans would also shift the authority to issue sick notes from GPs to specialist work and health professionals.

Building on an announcement from the 2023 Autumn Statement to support an additional 384,000 people in completing talking therapies, the Conservatives claim their new funding will enable 576,000 individuals to access mental health support by 2029-30, helping more people remain employed.

The projected £730m annual cost is expected to be offset by the £12bn savings these proposals will generate by 2030. The Conservatives assert that this package of measures will prevent the cost of providing benefits to working-age people with health conditions from rising from £60bn to £90bn by the end of the next parliament.

A Labour spokesperson responded, "This is the latest desperate announcement from Rishi Sunak, who has once again fabricated numbers to disguise the fact that he has caused a spiraling benefits bill. These recycled pledges, old policies, and vague promises will neither improve Britain's health nor control benefits, and they fail to address the £10bn of taxpayers' money lost to benefit fraud last year."