It is vital to ensure our children and young people have the best start in life, which means protecting their mental and physical health.
This is reflected in the Government’s investment of £2.3 billion a year to expand NHS mental health services and support to a further 345,000 children and young people by 2023-24.
In addition, £79 million of investment for children’s mental health services in 2021/22 was announced in April 2021. This funding will support 22,500 children and young people to access community health services, 2,000 more children to access eating disorder services and improve coverage of mental health support teams in Schools and Colleges.
The Government remains committed to halving childhood obesity by 2030, including through implementing its promise to ban pre-9pm TV advertising of food high in sugar, salt and fat across the UK.
The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced the 9pm advertising ban and the policies are due to come into effect on 1 January 2024. This will allow the Government to review and monitor the impact of the restrictions on the cost of living considering an unprecedented global economic situation.
I appreciate there is more to be done, but I am encouraged by the Government’s action so far on combating the biggest problems in children and young people’s health.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
