Children’s and Young People’s Mental Health Services

Debate between Baroness Merron and Lord Hussain

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

What the noble Lord says is absolutely right. That is why the Young Futures hubs, the early support hubs, focus on particular communities. We have taken a view that it is important to go to where need is greatest rather than to where it is easiest to deal with. I should add that we have expanded mental health services in terms of the workforce by delivering 8,500 additional mental health staff three years ahead of schedule. Around 18% of them are directly on children’s and young people’s services.

[Lord Hussain (LD)]

There is a proven, well-documented correlation between broken or highly conflicted families and poor mental health in children and young people. What are the Government doing to support keeping families united?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises the legitimate point that children’s and young people’s mental health is not just a matter for the health service but requires cross-government thinking on housing, income and other pressures. That is why the mental health strategy is, for the first time, a cross-government strategy led by the Department of Health and Social Care.