Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to bring forward the Mental Health Bill; and whether that Bill will include measures on (a) early intervention, (b) family stability and (c) the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

The Government published a draft Mental Health Bill on 23 June. The draft Bill is currently subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint Parliamentary Committee, which is due to report by 13 January 2023. Following pre-legislative scrutiny, the Government will bring forward a Mental Health Bill when Parliamentary time allows. The proposed legislative reforms aim to provide greater autonomy to individuals to inform their care and treatment, including children and young people. It also aims to ensure that inpatients, including those detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, have improved support to access their rights under the Act.