Children in Oldham get £63.90 spent on them, compared to £165.20 in the Isle of Wight.
Shadow Health and Social Care Cabinet Member Louie Hamblett has condemned the postcode lottery which means that children in Oldham get almost two thirds less spent on their mental health than children on the Isle of Wight.
The Liberal Democrats are putting a Private Members’ Bill forward to Parliament today to force the Government to report strict figures on waiting times for assessment, treatment and referrals, as well as a breakdown of where money is being spent on children’s mental health.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Hamblett said: “Any parent wants to ensure that their children get the best treatment, and a fair turn. That children in Oldham get so much less spent on their mental health than in some other parts of the country means that parents do not get that.
“That’s even before we look at the fact that poor mental health often goes hand in hand with other issues that threaten to stop children reaching their potential. We must give children the opportunity to be the best that they can be – and equal funding for their mental health is an absolute basic that the Government is not delivering.”
The Private Members’ Bill is being brought forward by education spokesperson Munira Wilson, who said: “The legacy of this pandemic cannot be a severe mental health crisis that goes unchecked across vast swathes of this country. The Government must not allow this postcode lottery to continue.
“My Bill would ensure that parents can find out exactly how much is being spent on children’s mental health in their area. Ministers will not be able to hide from their underfunding and short-changing of communities that need this vital support.
“No parent should be stuck in the awful position of being unable to access mental health services for their child. It’s high time we lend them a helping hand.”
Notes
- Figures from Children’s Commissioner on £ Spent per Child and Waiting Times
- Table of children’s mental health spending per CCG
- Munira Wilson’s ‘Mental Health Provision (Children and Young People)’ Bill
- The Bill follows Ed Davey’s keynote speech at the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference on Sunday that called for:
- Expansion of access to children’s mental health services
- New maximum waiting time standards
- A dedicated, qualified mental health professional in every school