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<p>Mental health is a priority for the government, which is why my right hon. Friend,
the Prime Minister recently announced measures (17 June 2019) which overhaul the government’s
approach to preventing mental illness. These measures included providing £1 million
to the Office of Students for a competition to find innovative new ways to support
mental health at universities and colleges.</p><p> </p><p>The Department for Education
is working closely with Universities UK on embedding the Step Change programme. This
calls on higher education (HE) leaders to adopt mental health as a strategic priority
and take a whole-institution approach to embed a culture of good mental health practice.</p><p>
</p><p>The University Mental Health Charter, which was announced in June 2018, is
also expected to drive up standards in promoting mental health and wellbeing, positive
working environments and excellent support for both students and staff.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>As independent and autonomous institutions, HE providers are responsible for
decisions regarding the contracts they offer to academic staff. Like all employers,
HE providers, including Cambridge University have a duty of care to their staff. The
department expects them to take this very seriously. We also expect universities to
give due consideration to their obligations under the Equality Act (2010) and the
way their employment practices affect different sections of their communities and
staff at different stages of their careers.</p><p> </p><p>I gave a speech on 7 May
2019 that focused on early career researcher contracts. I am keen that early career
academics do not get lost from policy debates, particularly around key issues such
as mental health and wellbeing. The Independent Review of the Concordat to Support
the Career Development of Researchers, led by Professor Julia Buckingham, has recognised
issues of wellbeing and the challenges that arise from the use of short and fixed-term
contracts. Recommendations are currently under review and a revised concordat is expected
in September 2019.</p>
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