Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support she is providing for people with eating disorders.

There was a huge increase in the number of children and young people in need of eating disorder services due to the pandemic. 8,034 children and young people started treatment in 2019/20, compared to 2022/23, where 11,807 children and young people starting treatment, an increase of 47%. The Department and NHS England are working hard to ensure that everyone has access to the treatment they need.

The Department is providing record investment in mental health services, including for eating disorders services, with £15.9 billion across 2022/23, representing 27.7% more funding than in 2018/19. This includes increasing funding into children and young people's community eating disorder services every year, with funding for eating disorder services increasing by £54 million in 2023/24.