Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Eating Disorders

Tuesday 14 April 2026 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is increasing mental health spending to 16.1 billion this year, including funding for eating disorder care.
  • An independent review on the rising prevalence of eating disorders is commissioned to set out recommendations for improved support.
  • Government is conducting a three-month consultation to determine effective ways to ensure children have healthy online experiences, focusing on the appropriate minimum age for social media access.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elsie Blundell Lab Heywood and Middleton North
Mental Health
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of support for individuals suffering from eating disorders, citing rising prevalence and inadequate help.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for people with eating disorders. Too many affected by eating disorders are not receiving timely help due to physical symptoms being overlooked or misattributed, highlighting the need for frontline staff training to identify early warning signs. Given the significant cuts under the previous government in areas like Heywood and Middleton North, what further steps will be taken to ensure support before crisis?

Answer from Zubir Ahmed

Increases in mental health spending include funding for eating disorder care, with a record £16.1 billion this year. An independent review on rising prevalence is commissioned; the interim report highlights the rise and will set out recommendations to improve support. Training frontline staff is crucial, including harmonising data and clinical coding to catch people early. The Government aim to end the cliff edge at age 18 for care continuity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timelines were not provided regarding training frontline staff and ensuring support before crisis point.

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Q2 Elsie Blundell Lab Heywood and Middleton North
Mental Health
Context

The MP raises concerns about inadequate help for those with eating disorders, especially due to earlier cuts in public services.

Question

Too many people affected by eating disorders are not receiving the help they need—help often comes too late, with serious physical symptoms overlooked or misattributed. It is clear that those on the frontline must have the training they need to identify early warning signs. What further steps are being taken to ensure that people are supported before they reach crisis point, especially in areas such as mine, which were on the receiving end of significant cuts to public services under the Conservative party?

Answer from Zubir Ahmed

The Government recognise the impact of earlier cuts on mental health services, including those for eating disorders. Training frontline staff is essential; pathways must be improved by harmonising data and clinical coding to catch people early. The prevalence review will focus on eating disorders, aiming to end the cliff edge at age 18 for care continuity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timelines or concrete actions were provided regarding training frontline staff and ensuring support before crisis point.

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Q3 Freddie Van Mierlo Lib Dem Henley and Thame
Culture, Media & Sport Mental Health
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of social media companies pushing harmful content towards young girls, contributing to an increased risk of developing eating disorders.

Question

Young girls are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders, which are a parent's worst nightmare. We are seeing social media companies push content on to young girls that encourages eating disorders. What is the Minister doing with Cabinet colleagues to take on this problem?

Answer from Zubir Ahmed

The Government are conducting a three-month consultation to examine effective ways to ensure children have healthy online experiences. The focus includes determining the right minimum age for accessing social media, informed by evidence and expert input, with a report due in summer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions addressing harmful content or direct measures involving Cabinet colleagues were detailed.

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