Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Eating Disorder Awareness

01 April 2025 · 16 other contributors · 13,409 words

Opened by Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

Responding minister: 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

Wera Hobhouse raised concerns about eating disorder awareness in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Eating disorders are serious and life-threatening mental illnesses that have been underfunded and overlooked.
  • The number of people affected by eating disorders has increased alarmingly over the past decade, especially during the pandemic.
  • Only one-sixth of NHS integrated care systems in England have adequate intensive community and day patient treatments available.

Key requests to Government

The lead MP asks for a complete reformation of eating disorder treatment and the development of a stand-alone eating disorder strategy. She also seeks assurances that all Integrated Care Boards will invest sufficiently in vital services in 2025-26 and beyond, amidst planned real-term spending cuts to children’s eating disorder services.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

Eating disorders are among the most serious and life-threatening of all mental illnesses but have been overlooked and underfunded for too long, resulting in a significant treatment gap. The number of people affected by eating disorders has increased alarmingly over the past decade, especially during the pandemic, leading to an overwhelmed support system with inadequate intensive community and day patient treatments available in only one-sixth of NHS integrated care systems in England.

Other contributors (16)
  • Chris Vince Lab/Co-op Harlow

    Vince shared personal experience with eating disorders and highlighted the impact of cyberbullying on young people. He mentioned statistics indicating that approximately 1.25 million people have some form of eating disorder, urging those struggling in Harlow to seek help.

  • Danny Kruger Con East Wiltshire

    Acknowledged the hon. Member for Bath's long campaign on eating disorders and discussed his meeting with a family whose daughter suffers from anorexia, emphasizing that eating disorders are treatable illnesses despite current service crises.

  • Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth

    One in 50 people will suffer with an eating disorder or disordered eating, highlighting the need for early intervention. Disordered eating is complex and driven by control and shame, making it difficult for sufferers to seek help.

  • Scott Arthur Lab Edinburgh South West

    Paid tribute to the hon. Member for Bath's work and mentioned his shock at discovering people entering palliative care due to eating disorders, describing it as a disgrace and sign of system failure.

  • Jess Brown-Fuller LD Chichester

    The MP thanked Wera Hobhouse for her work on eating disorders, noting that more than 1.2 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder and that these illnesses have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commended the hon. Member for Bath for leading the debate and highlighted a significant health concern in Northern Ireland, noting that 16.2% of 11 to 19-year-olds met criteria for probable eating disorders. Emphasised the need for data and support along with empathy.

  • John McDonnell Ind Hayes and Harlington

    Highlighted the importance of family support, financial assistance, and co-production of strategy with experts including sufferers and families. Requested attention to disability benefits consultations. Raised concerns about reform of disability benefits, which may deny universal credit health element to those under 22 years old.

  • John Milne LD Horsham

    Described a case where a constituent's daughter had significant mental health issues leading to an eating disorder, necessitating treatment in Yorkshire due to inadequate local provision.

  • Josh Dean Lab Hertford and Stortford

    Acknowledged the alarming statistics on eating disorders among young people, citing YoungMinds' information about how eating disorders can develop as coping mechanisms for difficult emotions and experiences.

  • Luke Charters Lab York Outer

    The MP focused on eating disorders affecting young men and boys, highlighting the impact of online influencers and toxic body image expectations. He also mentioned the need for more positive role models in sport and requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss his campaign against supplement sales to children.

  • Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry

    Agreed that shame is an issue, needing wider societal effort to overcome; highlighted the importance of schools having tools to identify potential signs of eating disorders.

  • Perran Moon Lab Camborne and Redruth

    Thanked Wera Hobhouse for securing debate and mentioned recent data suggesting one in eight 17 to 19-year-olds have an eating disorder, with average wait times of nearly three and a half years.

  • Rebecca Long Bailey Lab Salford

    Emphasised the complexity and underfunding of eating disorder services, citing Beat's report which found only one in seven NHS areas providing recommended community and day treatment levels.

  • Stephen Kinnock Lab Blaenau Gwent

    Agreed to follow up on the points raised by John McDonnell and will write to him after consulting with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions.

  • Susan Murray LD Mid Dunbartonshire

    Murray emphasised the severity of the issue with statistics showing a rise in eating disorder cases among young people, highlighting muscle dysmorphia and the influence of social media. She urged for a holistic approach including health education and online protections.

  • Wera Hobhouse LD Bath

    Congratulated the hon. Member on sharing his personal experience and expressed understanding of the challenges faced by parents in such situations.

Government Response

Stephen Kinnock

The Minister for Care

It is a pleasure to serve under your maiden chairship today, Mr Stuart. The Government share the desire of the hon. Member for Bath to improve the lives of people affected by eating disorders. Record investment and progress have improved access to eating disorder services, but demand has surged since the pandemic outpacing growth in capacity. We must do more to ensure everyone who needs support can get it without delay. National funding has increased over the years, as the hon. Lady will know... By improving care in the community, the NHS can improve outcomes and recovery, reduce rates of relapse, prevent children’s eating disorders continuing into adulthood and, if admission is required as a last resort, reduce the length of time that people have to stay in hospital.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy