Andrew Bridgen asks the Government if an assessment has been carried out of the effect of the covid-19 lockdown restrictions on children’s mental health and general wellbeing.
Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)
Has my right hon. Friend made any specific assessment of the effect of the covid-19 lockdown restrictions on children’s mental health and general wellbeing?
Sajid Javid (The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care)
I can tell my hon. Friend that we have and that that assessment continues. Sadly, as he will know, we have seen a significant increase in mental health referrals, especially for young people, over the past two years. The extra support that we have provided through the action plan and the £500 million of funding is helping, but I am afraid that there will be some long-term challenges created by the pandemic. We are very much looking at what more we can do.