Contribution
The hon. Member for Isle of Wight West (Mr Quigley) said that he wants to push for change, and he is a tremendous advocate for doing exactly that. We are six months on from a very similar debate on eating disorders. The fact that so many Members across the parties are here to support the debate shows the strength of feeling.
In the short time that I have, I will not repeat everything that I said last time. Following the debate in April, I wrote to the Government to find out more and ask some questions. I received a letter from Baroness Merron on 12 June. The first question I had asked was whether the Government had a plan for eating disorders. The reply stated:
“The Department has no current plans to create an eating disorder strategy”.
It went on to say:
“NHS England is currently refreshing guidance on children and young people's eating disorders. The refreshed guidance will highlight the importance of awareness and early recognition of eating disorders within schools, colleges, primary care, and broader children and young people’s mental health services.”
I hope that the Minister can provide us with an update on when that updated guidance will be brought forward.
Back in April, I also posed the question whether the Government would be open to having a cross-party meeting or roundtable with experts in APPGs. I have not yet had a response to that question, either in a debate or in the letter that I received, but I think it would go a long way towards helping to explore this issue in a way that would make a difference.
In the previous debate, the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) raised an issue around the recording of death. She said:
“Accurate recording will raise awareness and ultimately save lives.”—[Official Report, 1 April 2025; Vol. 765, c. 30WH.]
The Minister responded:
“I share the concern of the hon. Member for Bath about accurate recording of deaths to understand the extent to which eating disorders and other factors have caused or contributed to deaths. This matter is being explored with the national medical examiner for England and Wales, the Office for National Statistics and the Coroners’ Society of England and Wales.”
Can he provide an update on where that has got to and what the outcome is?
Back in April, the Minister also gave us great expectations about the 10-year health plan:
“Through the 10-year health plan, this Government will overhaul the NHS and ensure that those with mental health needs, including those living with eating disorders, are given the support that they need.”—[Official Report, 1 April 2025; Vol. 765, c. 49WH.]
He also said:
“Raising awareness of eating disorders and improving treatment services is a key priority for the Government, and a vital part of our work to improve mental health services.”—[Official Report, 1 April 2025; Vol. 765, c. 47WH.]
I will be grateful if the Minister can respond to the Beat CEO, who has said:
“We’re very disappointed to see that mental health hasn’t been consistently highlighted as a priority throughout the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, and that there are no specific commitments on eating disorders.”
That is a concern—not as a party political point, but because people who are suffering can now see it written that there is no strategy, and it is not mentioned in the 10-year health plan. I will be grateful if the Minister can alleviate the concerns about whether this issue is truly a priority.
Finally, one of the big plays that the Government have made is changing integrated care boards. In the last debate, the Minister said:
“The Government’s view is that ICBs are best placed to make decisions as close as possible to the communities that they serve and to target and, if necessary, reallocate funding accordingly.”—[Official Report, 1 April 2025; Vol. 765, c. 47WH.]
The changes brought forward by this Government have seen a reduction in staffing of 50% in many ICBs. Are the Government concerned? Has any analysis been done of whether there will be an impact on commissioning in respect of eating disorders, given the severity that has been highlighted across the Chamber?
It is often said that treatment is about progress, not perfection. I guess that much the same could be said about formulating policy as we deal with the rising number of people with eating disorders. To that end, I hope that the Government will take these questions as part of the process, helping to highlight this area in which we all want to see progress as the Minister brings his policies to bear on this country.