Health: Spending Cuts

Earl of Listowel Excerpts

Wednesday 30th June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, the Government are conscious that the health and well-being of the population are affected by a number of factors outside the strict confines of the healthcare system. At the same time, we should not underplay the role of the NHS in tackling health inequalities, and not least the role of primary care. In that context, my department is privileged in being able to look forward to a budget that is not going to be cut over the course of this Parliament.

[The Earl of Listowel]

My Lords, we know very well the health inequalities among looked-after children in public care. Will the Minister look very carefully at the specialist mental health services provided by local areas to children in public care and ensure that they are sustained as far as possible? He may recall that, in 2004, 68 per cent of children in residential care were found to have a mental disorder. Will he look especially carefully at children’s homes and ensure that, wherever there are partnerships with the mental health services, those partnerships are sustained?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I acknowledge the noble Earl’s continuing interest in this area, about which I know he is extremely well informed. The Government are committed to improving the health and well-being of children and young people in whatever setting, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We are conducting a thorough review of the programmes that my department funds. There is nothing sinister in that; we want to ensure that, as part of the spending review, our programmes and policies have the strongest evidence base and represent the best value for money.