Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what effect spending pre-emptions by NHS England have had on the ability of NHS England to ensure parity of esteem as required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the NHS Mandate for 2013 to 2015 and the Refreshed Mandate for 2014 to 2015.

Funding for mental health has increased by £120 million in 2014-15, a rise of 1.4% in cash terms. Total mental health spending will rise from £8.5 billion in 2013-14 to £8.62 billion in 2014-15.

The Government has committed an additional £40 million funding boost for mental health services in 2014-15. A further £80 million in 2015-16 will be freed by NHS England from existing budgets.

The Department and NHS England continue to work together to ensure that there are consistent messages to commissioners and providers about the importance of delivering parity of esteem for people with mental health needs.

Monitor and NHS England are responsible for setting the national tariff arrangements and are working together to develop a national payment system for mental health which promotes early intervention, access to effective evidence-based care, improved outcomes and recovery.

The national tariff arrangements for 2015-16 will include examples of new and innovative payment models which local commissioners and providers may choose to adopt next year.