Oral QuestionDepartment of Health and Social Care

What steps he is taking to ensure parity of esteem between mental and physical health services.

Tabled: 19 November 2025Answered: 25 November 2025

Asked by

Liz Twist

LabourBlaydon and Consett

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Dr Zubir Ahmed)

Too many people are waiting too long for mental health support. Since coming into office, the Government have put mental health support services on the road to recovery. We promised 8,500 more mental health staff by the end of the Parliament, and we have already recruited 6,500 of them. We are introducing the first 24/7 mental health crisis support services through NHS 111, and we have rolled out mental health support to schools and colleges across the country, providing help to 5 million children and young people.