Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the increased number of children with eating disorders in the UK; and if he will ensure that those children have the support they require.

The NHS Long Term Plan provides an extra £53 million a year for children and young people's community eating disorder services from 2021/22. This funding will enhance the development of more than 70 new or improved community eating disorder teams. An additional £79 million has been made available, some of which will be used to allow an additional 2,000 children and young people to able to access eating disorder services.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have also announced additional early intervention services for young people aged 16 to 25 years old with eating disorders in 18 areas across the country, so young adults seeking support could be contacted within 48 hours and begin treatment within two weeks.