Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of reviewing the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 to (a) strengthen the provisions on protecting mental health within existing legislation and (b) enshrine parity of esteem for mental health in law.

Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) at Work Regulations 1981 employers have a responsibility to consider the physical and mental health needs of their staff as part of their first aid needs assessment and decide what support is necessary, regardless of whether or not the cause is work-related. HSE published clarified guidance in November 2018 to increase employers’ understanding of their responsibilities and what factors to consider when undertaking a first aid needs assessment.