Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Mental Health Services Funding

Wednesday 21 April 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Comparative assessment of mental health funding adequacy between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK was sought.
  • Funding for mental health services in Northern Ireland is devolved, with the UK Government providing 14.2 billion to the Northern Ireland Executive in 2021-22.
  • 50 million specifically for mental health support in Northern Ireland was allocated under the New Decade, New Approach agreement, part of a total 350 million for the health sector.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Northern Ireland Mental Health
Context

The question arises from the need to assess funding adequacy for mental health services in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK. This is important due to specific challenges and disparities observed.

Question

What comparative assessment has been made of the adequacy of levels of funding for mental health services in Northern Ireland versus the rest of the UK? Are there concerns about how these funds are allocated or utilised?

Answer from Robin Walker

We recognise the importance of proper provision and access to mental health services across the UK. Funding for these services in Northern Ireland is devolved, and the Government provide £14.2 billion to the Executive in 2021-22. We support allocating some of this funding for vital mental health services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The comparative analysis requested was not provided; only general recognition of importance and a statement about funding provision was given without specifics on adequacy or comparison.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Northern Ireland Mental Health
Context

Referral targets for mental health services in Northern Ireland were missed over 42,000 times between January 2017 and September 2020. Additionally, rates of suicide remain the highest in Northern Ireland compared to other UK regions.

Question

Recently published figures show that referral targets for mental health services in Northern Ireland have been missed more than 42,000 times at emergency departments since January 2017. Given high suicide rates in Northern Ireland, will the Minister confirm that funding under New Decade, New Approach to tackle the mental health crisis will be urgently released?

Answer from Robin Walker

The hon. Lady rightly highlights acute demand on health services in Northern Ireland and refers to NDNA agreement funding, £50 million allocated specifically for mental health support under confidence and supply agreement, part of £350 million total for the health sector, plus additional £60 million of capital and resource funding announced by Government.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email