Mental Health Bill [HL]

Debate between Baroness Merron and Lord Davies of Brixton

Committee stage
Monday 24th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Davies of Brixton for raising what is a very real issue, among many we are debating today in Committee. I thank him for Amendment 135, supported by the noble Baronesses, Lady Bennett, Lady Neuberger and Lady Tyler, and spoken to by the noble Baroness, Lady Watkins, and supported by the noble Lord, Lord Kamall. I certainly agree that breathing space can indeed be what could be described as a lifebelt for people in problem debt, especially where this is worsening or is indeed a trigger for their mental illness, as my noble friend Lord Davies spelled out and the noble Lord, Lord Kamall, endorsed.

Individuals who are detained in hospital for assessment or treatment under the Mental Health Act are eligible for this scheme, as are those receiving crisis treatment in the community from a specialist mental health service. Approved mental health professionals can refer eligible individuals to protect them from debt enforcement. These professionals are often the first on the scene when a person is in crisis and are responsible for arranging assessment for treatment under the Act. Therefore, when a person is admitted to hospital, they may already have been enrolled in the scheme and, if not, NHS England guidance sets out the financial support, including referral to breathing space, that should be offered to patients receiving acute in-patient mental health care, whether detained or voluntary. I can say to your Lordships’ Committee that we do intend to make this an explicit requirement in the Mental Health Act code of practice.

I feel that is particularly important as my noble friend Lord Davies raised the point about uptake. Certainly, I recognise that uptake has been lower for the scheme than originally anticipated. While we do not believe this is a representation of the scheme significantly underperforming, I assure my noble friend that we will continue to keep the scheme under review to ensure that it is working effectively for those who need it, and needed indeed it is. It is for these reasons that I hope that my noble friend will withdraw the amendment.

[Lord Davies of Brixton (Lab)]

I thank everyone who has taken part in the debate; the case was made clearly by everyone. I thank particularly the noble Baroness, Lady Watkins, for the additional point about the pressure on clinical staff. This issue was, of course, raised in the earlier amendments about the code of practice and the treatment plan; they are all of a piece. I will consider carefully what my noble friend the Minister said, and perhaps we will have some discussions, and we will see where they go. In the meantime, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Health Research

Debate between Baroness Merron and Lord Davies of Brixton

Wednesday 12th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Davies of Brixton]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications for health research in the United Kingdom of the funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health announced by the government of the United States of America.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care (Baroness Merron) (Lab)]

My Lords, the United Kingdom’s world-class health research ecosystem makes us a natural partner for the United States’ research and life sciences communities. When UK health researchers collaborate internationally, it is most commonly with researchers in the United States. While it is too soon to make a full assessment of the impact of any changes in National Institutes of Health funding on health research in the UK, we continue to monitor and remain committed to strategic UK-US health research collaboration.

[Lord Davies of Brixton (Lab)]

I thank the Minister for her reply. It is part of the Government’s policy to emphasise health research to improve the health service and to power economic growth, which is why the announcements of arbitrary and material cuts to research in the US have potentially bad effects, given the extent of international collaboration in research and joint funding. Will the Minister give a clear commitment to do whatever it takes to protect health services research in this country from the madness being perpetrated in Washington?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I note my noble friend’s observation. I certainly can give the assurance that the United Kingdom will continue to support and promote its research capability at home and, where we can, internationally. It might be helpful if I tell your Lordships’ House that, on 10 February, a United States district judge temporarily blocked the Administration’s cuts following a lawsuit which was led by attorneys from 22 US states. There is a further hearing scheduled for 21 February, so it is wait and see, and we continue to keep a close eye.

Mental Health Treatment: Waiting Times

Debate between Baroness Merron and Lord Davies of Brixton

Monday 3rd February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

It is important that children with ADHD receive the right education and the right support. We are working with the Department for Education to make sure that happens.

[Lord Davies of Brixton (Lab)]

I welcome my noble friend the Minister’s replies to the questions asked. I know she is personally committed to improving the services provided to people suffering from problems with their mental health. However, is she aware of the concern that has been expressed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists that the increased autonomy allowed to local health authorities will, without clear guidance, lead to inadequate investment in mental health services? Can she provide some reassurance for the royal college?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am grateful to my noble friend for raising this. There are whole areas in which we are seeking to turn this round, and I know my noble friend is aware of the challenges we face. To highlight just one, I refer him to the fact that the Government have chosen to prioritise funding for talking therapies and to deliver that expansion. That is really important because, in all of this, we have to make the move from dealing with sickness to prevention, and I believe this is a very strong example of how we can do that.