Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has to restrict access to websites that promote or encourage suicide or self-harm.

The Department does not hold information on the number of websites promoting, encouraging or selling products that assist suicide and self-harm.

People or organisations that provide information or sell products online must operate within the law. It is illegal to assist a suicide. The law does not differentiate between criminal offences committed online or anywhere else; it is the action that is illegal.

The Government works with the online sector and other stakeholders to address issues of safety online and the impact of potentially harmful content.

We expect websites including social media companies to respond quickly to reports of harmful content and abusive behaviour on their networks. This includes having easy to use reporting tools, robust processes in place to respond promptly when issues are reported, and suspending or terminating the accounts of those who do not comply with acceptable use policies.