Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) financial and (b) other support his Department is providing to local authorities in (i) Coventry, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) England to help people experiencing mental-ill health as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

In 2021-22 the total public health grant to local authorities will be £3.324 billion, of which £22,571,371 has been allocated to Coventry City Council. The grant will be ring-fenced for use on public health functions, including public mental health. This may include mental health challenges arising directly or indirectly from COVID-19.

As part of the Mental Health Recovery Action Plan, £15 million will be invested in local authority areas in the most deprived parts of the country to help stimulate and boost prevention and early intervention services. Five eligible West Midlands local authorities were invited to submit expressions of interest by 28 May 2021. Proposals will be reviewed by a national panel on 9 June 2021 with a view to confirming awards before the end of June 2021.