Most recent data from NHS England finds that 20% of eight to 16-year-olds had a probable mental disorder in 2023 while analysis from the Children's Commissioner for England shows that in March this year 28% of young people referred to children's mental health services in 2022/23 were still waiting for support.
All three main parties – The Conservatives, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats – have made pledges in a bid to tackle the children’s mental health crisis, with both Labour and the Lib Dems committing to placing mental health practitioners in every school.
Meanwhile, physical health services for children, commitments around equal access to sports and sex education set to dominate the agenda over the coming weeks.
CYP Now examines key manifesto pledges linked to children’s health and what these could mean for the sector.
Conservative Party
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Mandate two hours of PE every week in primary and secondary schools, supported by extending the PE and Sport Premium to secondary schools.
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Bring forward the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill and "continue to tackle childhood and adult obesity and will legislate to restrict the advertising of products high in fat, salt and sugar."
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Complete the implementation of the Cass review and legislate to permanently prevent the private prescription and supply of puberty blockers for gender dysphoria.
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Expand coverage of Mental Health Support Teams from 50% to 100% of schools and colleges in England by 2030.
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Open early support hubs for those aged 11-25 in every local community by 2030.
Labour Party
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Provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school to support problems before they escalate.
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Open Young Futures Hubs in every community where young people can get drop-in mental health support.
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"Ensure the next generation can never legally buy cigarettes", through plans to ban vapes from being branded and advertised to appeal to children.
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Ban the advertising of junk food to children along with the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s.
Liberal Democrats
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Establish mental health hubs for young people in every community and introduce regular mental health check-ups at key points in people’s lives when they are most vulnerable to mental ill-health.
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Put dedicated, qualified mental health professionals in every school and extend young people's health services up to the age of 25.
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Stop the use of vapes by children.
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Extend the soft drinks levy to juice-based and milk-based drinks that are high in added sugar.
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Restrict outdoor advertising and restricting TV advertising of junk food to post-watershed.
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Provide supervised toothbrushing training for children in nurseries and schools and scrapping VAT on children's toothbrushes and toothpaste.
