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Ross MP Jamie Stone supports Samaritans' Mental Health Drive for those excluded from UK government schemes


By Philip Murray

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Jamie Stone MP.
Jamie Stone MP.

A MENTAL health campaign launched by the Samaritans to help those hardest hit by the Covid-19 crisis has won the backing of a Ross MP.

As chairman of the ExcludedUK Parliamentary Group, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Jamie Stone, has backed the charity's fundraising initiative "Mind The Gaps".

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Samaritan's helplines have had a surge in calls from people excluded by the UK government's support schemes. The charity initiative Mind The Gaps aims to raise £1 million for the Samaritans charity so they can continue to support those hit hardest by Covid-19.

The initiative has the support of many groups working to protect excluded people including ForgottenPAYE, New Starter Justice, Forgotten LTD and the BBC PAYE Freelancers Support Group.

Founder and spokesperson for the 'Mind The Gaps' initiative, Ellie Phillips, said: “We have seen rapidly increasing numbers of excluded taxpayers experiencing a steep decline in mental health.

"The same themes run through their cries for help: severe financial worries, worthlessness, confusion, hopelessness and feelings of being a burden on those around them.”

After launching the appeal, Mr Stone said: “The toll that being excluded from support has taken on millions of people across the UK is something that weighs heavy on my mind. Nobody should have to deal with an unprecedented global pandemic followed immediately by a loss of income through no fault of their own.

"I am in total awe of what those excluded from government support are doing to support one another and am thankful to the Samaritans for everything they have done so far.

"However, they have had to do this in the absence of a caring, compassionate government who place no priority on people's mental health. That, I have to say, is unforgivable."

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