BPS responds to Autumn Statement
The BPS welcomes the government’s commitment to address the severe workforce crisis in the NHS with proposals for much-needed medium and long-term planning and investment.
17 November 2022
Increases in funding for the NHS and education are positive, however more detail is needed as to where and how this money will be spent.
Parity of esteem between physical and mental health is vital to ensure people can access the support and services they need, from a properly funded and well-resourced workforce.
Not until we reach that point will outcomes for people with mental health difficulties begin to improve.
We know there is currently a severe shortage of psychologists working within the education sector, which severely impacts the support available to children in schools, against the backdrop of growing numbers of children needing specialist support.
We reiterate the need for ring-fenced funding to deliver the much-needed reforms in the SEND review.
We are also reassured that the government has decided to protect the most vulnerable by uprating benefits in-line with inflation which the BPS has been calling for.
However, we are still deeply concerned about the cost-of-living crisis and the damaging impact it is having on people's mental and physical health, and the strain it's putting on services.
While the uprate in benefits is welcome, families are in urgent need of help now, and cannot afford to wait until next year.