NHS funding for mental health services

That this House expresses deep concern over the recent news that mental health spending, as a share of total NHS expenditure, is due to fall for the third year in a row; highlights that over 2.2 million people are in contact with NHS mental health services; notes that while mental health services account for 20% of demand on NHS services they receive less than 9% of NHS funding; underlines that cuts to vital services will have detrimental effects on patients, carers and staff; notes that this further coincides with the removal of the VCSE Suicide Prevention Grant and renders mental health services weaker during their greatest time of need from many vulnerable people; and reaffirms our commitment to parity between mental and physical health through a fit for purpose mental health investment standard.