SCHIZOPHRENIA AND EMPLOYER DISCRIMINATION

Early day motion 559, tabled 8 January 2007 by Danny Alexander (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 63 members.

That this House notes that 58 per cent. of people with schizophrenia can work if supported to do so; further notes that 75 per cent. of employers say that employing someone with schizophrenia is impossible or very difficult; acknowledges that the English anti-stigma programme Shift has eight times less per head funding than the Scottish See Me programme and 25 times less funding than the New Zealand Like Minds campaign, which has delivered impressive results; supports the conclusion of the Work and Pensions Committee that Government work to tackle employer discrimination has been wholly inadequate and the European Parliament's recent endorsement of measures to eliminate prejudice; and calls on the Department for Work and Pensions to bring investment in anti-stigma work to a level commensurate with the Scottish programme in order to make a success of welfare reform.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 22, Conservative 6, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2.