HIGHER rates of people are claiming benefit due to mental problems in Bournemouth than almost anywhere else in the country.

A new survey has revealed that more than half the 6,700 local residents who receive incapacity benefit are suffering from mental or behavioural disorders.

Only the inner city areas of Camden and Westminster in London have higher percentages, say researchers from the GMB union.

Poole was much further down the list, although the level was still more than 40 per cent of the total number of claimants.

Bournemouth has a high rate of hospital admissions for mental health problems, which could be due to the levels of drug and alcohol use in the town, as substance abuse can exacerbate mental disorders.

Other factors could be the high numbers of lone person households and exprisoners who set up home locally.

Joy Reynolds, director of planning at the Bournemouth Teaching Primary Care Trust said: "We are aware Bournemouth has a high number of people receiving incapacity benefit and that there are pockets of health deprivation across Bournemouth.

She added: "The reasons for the high numbers are complex and much work is being done with other agencies to better understand the reasons."

This week, the government announced a new drive to get people off sickness and disability benefits and back into work.

More than two and a half million people in the UK currently claim incapacity benefit, which a person can receive if they become ill or disabled and unable to work.

Sharon Holder of the GMB said: "The mental health service has long been a Cinderella neglected service.

"This analysis by the GMB shows just how vital this service will be in any concerted effort to get people who can be helped to get well and fit for work. Any review of people claiming incapacity benefit must be centred on the health needs of the people, not on the cash needs of the Treasury."

First published: May 21