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Health Investment
12 March 2026
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement addresses the publication of the annual NHS mental health spend and outlines the government's commitment to improving mental health services.
Action Requested
The government is publishing the annual NHS mental health spend statement, setting out ambitious goals for Integrated Care Boards, increasing funding for mental health services, and launching an independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism. The statement also includes a forecast of £16.1 billion in mental health spending for 2026-27, a real-terms increase from the previous year.
Key Facts
- The Health and Care Act 2022 introduced a statutory requirement to publish an annual mental health spend statement.
- Mental health spending for 2026-27 is forecast to reach a record £16.1 billion, up from £15.7 billion in 2025-26.
- £473 million of mental health capital funding has been made available over 2026–27 to 2029–30.
- All Integrated Care Boards are forecast to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard in 2025-26.
- The Mental Health Investment Standard will be required for all Integrated Care Boards over the next three years.
- The proportion of overall NHS spend allocated to mental health in 2026-27 is forecast to be 8.4%, down from 8.68% in 2025-26.
- The government has launched an independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism.
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