Happiness study 'lets austerity off the hook', psychologists claim

LSE study led by Labour peer found that failed relationships and physical and mental illness were bigger causes of misery than poverty

Clinical psychologists have raised the alarm over a controversial piece of research led by a Labour peer, with one saying it "lets austerity off the hook" as a cause of mental health problems.

The London School of Economics study led by Lord Richard Layard, published in early December, found that failed relationships and physical and mental illness were bigger causes of misery than poverty.