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Thousands of people with mental health problems are to be given extra support managing their condition so they can remain in the workplace, Jim Knight has announced.
The move follows the success of a number of pilot schemes aimed at helping people with fluctuating mental health conditions retain their jobs.
The pilot schemes, run with mental health charity Mind, were said to have proven 90 per cent successful.
Following the success of the trials, the government is now looking to extend the support, the welfare reform minister confirmed.
Knight said: "I know disabled people dearly want to stay in work and their employers want to do everything they can to keep good staff.
"Our plans to offer the right help early on can end the downward spiral of people falling out of work into sick leave, and onto benefits.
"We are all agreed that helping people stay in work is good news for them, their bosses and for the taxpayer."
The government will this autumn publish the first national strategy for mental health and employment.
It will include views from employers, healthcare professionals, organisations and individuals on improving well-being in the workplace.
Proposals will also include a new network of mental health experts across, provided through Jobcentre Plus, who will work with other health professionals to co-ordinate support for people who have mental health conditions.
And a consultation will look at giving disabled people, including those with mental health problems, greater choice and control over how public money is spent on meeting their needs.
The 'Access to work' fund is also to be increased, rising from £69m to £138m over the next five years.
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