Thousands of people are receiving benefits due to mental and behavioural disorders, figures show.

The Employment and Support Allowance is provided to people who are struggling to work due to long-term health conditions. It is available to those unable to work completely, and for people whose hours are limited by their condition.

Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions show 3,993 people in Northumberland were claiming ESA due to mental or behavioural conditions as of last summer – 47 per cent of the 8,518 claimants in the area.

These conditions accounted for almost half of the 1.6 million people claiming the benefit across Great Britain and were the most common reason in every area and region.

In Northumberland, they were followed by 'musculoskeletal' diseases – which includes issues with joints, bones and muscles – with 1,070 people receiving ESA.

These figures show the primary diagnosis when people are first assessed for the ESA – there may be more people with mental health problems as a secondary condition which are not counted in the data.