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; further notes that this further coincides with the removal of the Suicide Prevention Grant for voluntary, community or social enterprises and renders mental health services weaker during their greatest time of need from many vulnerable people; and reaffirms its commitment to parity between mental and physical health through a fit for purpose mental health investment standard.