Mental health funding to rise by at least £2bn a year by 2023-24, chancellor announces

The government will increase funding for mental health services by at least £2bn a year in real terms by 2023-24 as a key part of its long term plan for the NHS, the chancellor of the exchequer, Philip Hammond, has announced

In a speech to parliament to deliver his budget on Monday 29 October, Hammond said that the funding boost would pay for “comprehensive” 24 hour mental health support in every major hospital emergency department in the UK. It would also provide more mental health ambulances, more “safe havens” in the community, and a crisis hotline, he said.

The chancellor also announced …