PEOPLE with mental illnesses in Darlington are far less likely to be employed than their peers, figures show.

NHS Digital data shows that in March, the employment rate in Darlington's working age population was roughly 86 per cent.

But for those who were mentally ill, it stood at just 69 per cent.

The figures mean the employment gap has narrowed since the year before, when 38 per cent of people with a mental illness were in employment, compared to 76 per cent of the general population.

Across England, just 51 per cent of people with a mental illness were employed in March, compared to 75 per cent of the working age population.

The figures are based on the Labour Force Survey – a study of people's employment circumstances – by the Office for National Statistics.

Mental health charity Mind has called for more to be done to combat a striking national employment gap, saying hundreds of thousands of people with long term mental health conditions fall out of employment every year – many due to a lack of appropriate workplace support.

Mind is calling for employers to become legally obliged to monitor and reduce health-related pay gaps and for Statutory Sick Pay to begin earlier to ensure ill employees do not work because they cannot afford time off.

A Government spokesman said SSP waiting days protect employers from the cost of short-term absences, and that many pay above the minimum level.

He added: “We understand those with mental health conditions may need different kinds of support and we offer specialist programmes paired with personal support from our Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisors."

The Government has also committed to seeing a million more disabled people – likely to include some with severe mental health conditions – in work by 2027 as part of its Plan for Jobs initiative.

More than 20,000 employers have signed up to the nationwide Disability Confidence scheme, which champions inclusive recruitment practices and helps ensure workplaces are accessible to all.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054