§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the five-year European Union action plan to encourage co-operation to combat social exclusion includes measures to help those with mental health problems. [36878]
§ Malcolm WicksThe EU Action Programme to Combat Social Exclusion will make 75 million euro available over a five-year period to support various transnational activities with a view to improving:
- Analysis of characteristics, processes, causes and trends in social exclusion;
- Policy co-operation and exchange of information and best practices; and
- Participation and support for EU-level networking.
The range of activities potentially eligible for support is very broad, in line with the multidimensional nature of poverty and social exclusion. The Commission and the Member States have acknowledged that mental health is an important issue for many people experiencing social exclusion. Accordingly, support from the Action Programme may be available for partnerships with an interest in mental health issues working across several Member States to tackle social exclusion. Support will be subject to a bidding process.