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Mental health charities have told MPs a simplified and more flexible benefits system is needed that recognises people with mental health problems can experience fluctuations in their capacity, writes Amy Taylor.

There needs to be tangible tax credit and benefits system that allows those with mental health problems to take gradual steps into work, starting part-time, without automatically losing benefits, according to Rethink, formerly known as the National Schizophrenia Fellowship.

The Mental After Care Association (MACA) also said people suffering from mental health problems want to work, but are seriously worried about losing the security of their benefits.

MACA continued by saying there is a widespread belief amongst employers that people with mental health problems are incapable of working productively, and called for resources to combat employers' doubts. It said these could be in the form of a financial incentive that subsidises a person with a disability at work by paying for all their training needs.

Both charities made the comments in their evidence to the House of Commons work and pensions committee's inquiry into how to assist people with disabilities into work.