<p>The data are not available to calculate the annual cost of depression to the UK economy.</p><p>We acknowledge however that employment rates for people with depression, anxiety and other common mental health problems are relatively low. This is why the Government is exploring new integrated approaches across the mental health and employment system. We are currently working on a range of measures to support people with mental health problems to remain in and return to work. This includes improving access to talking therapies for people who are out of work, and the introduction of a new health and work assessment and advisory service from late 2014 which will make occupational health expertise more widely available to those employees and employers who need it most.</p>