Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Mental Health Bill [Lords] 2025-12-08

08 December 2025 · 4 other contributors

Opened by The Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock

Mental HealthNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

The Minister for Care raised concerns about mental health bill [lords] 2025-12-08 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister moves to agree with Lords amendments 19B and 19C
  • Bill aims to improve mental health outcomes and reduce waiting times
  • Review on mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism to be launched

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

The Minister for Care

I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendments 19B and 19C. It is a privilege to return to the Mental Health Bill in its final passage in the Commons. Thanks to constructive collaboration from Members and noble Lords, we have an amended version of the Bill ready for implementation. The Bill complements the 10-year plan for NHS reform, aiming to improve outcomes, reduce waiting times, and provide tailored care. We are launching a review on mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism to understand prevalence and demand for services, ensuring timely support at early stages. Quality and transparency in care will be improved by publishing a new modern service framework for severe mental illness, setting consistency in clinical standards across the country. The Bill aims to put patient feedback front and centre through an early warning system to identify poor-quality care, alongside commitments to roll out mental health support teams in schools and colleges by 2029, employ an additional 8,500 mental health workers, and pilot new 24/7 neighbourhood centres. The Bill will give patients greater choice and autonomy with enhanced rights.

Other contributors (4)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    First, I welcome what is coming forward. Does the Minister agree that there must be more emphasis on the voice of the child in the legislation and that the child should have some preference when it comes to representation?

    Minister reply

    Yes, we absolutely do agree. We have three options for scenarios where no local authority holds parental responsibility, and patient feedback will be prioritised.

  • Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth

    Question

    We are at the end of a long road started by Baroness May in 2018 with the Wessely report. The Bill deals with serious mental health issues, and I am pleased to hear the Minister comment on the amendment from the other place and the concerns raised by Baroness Berridge. However, without a delivery plan, it is difficult to implement the legislation.

    Minister reply

    We are looking at the code of practice for challenging positions AMHPs might face and will not be dividing the House tonight.

  • Tom Hayes Lab Bournemouth East

    Question

    Before I was elected, I ran mental health services and saw a devastated landscape under the Conservatives, including the loss of Sure Start which led to a 50% reduction in hospitalisations for 12-14-year-olds. Does the shadow Minister agree that Labour’s roll-out of revamp Sure Start is just one way we can improve children's mental health?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman missed the point about the mental health investment standard under which spending on mental health mirrored physical conditions, but this has been a concern under this Government as the proportion of mental health spending has fallen.

  • Evans Lab

    Question

    The hon Gentleman raised whether the Government could commit to protecting the mental health investment standard in real terms.

    Minister reply

    Yes, we are indeed committed to protecting the mental health investment standard in real terms. This means it will rise in line with inflation.

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