Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve mental health support services across England; and what consultations they have held on this issue with the devolved administrations.

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across child and adult mental health services in England to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, which will also help ease pressure on busy mental health services. We will also introduce access to a specialist mental health professional in every school in England, and roll out Young Futures hubs in every community.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has made clear his commitment to ongoing engagement and collaboration with the devolved governments. The next Health and Social Care Interministerial Group is scheduled for 11 December 2024.

In addition, officials have established a regular Four Nations Meeting on mental health reform, in which the Mental Health Bill’s measures and potential implications for the devolved administrations are discussed.