Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in response to Space Youth's "Hear Their Healing" campaign call for a youth-led inquiry into the mental health needs of young people.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will publish a new National Youth Strategy, which will set out how the Government will support young people in all aspects of their lives, including support for mental health, wellbeing, and the ability to develop positive social connections.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has directly engaged with over 20,000 young people to hear about their worries and hopes for the future. Key themes coming through the engagement process include the need for more in-person opportunities that give access to trusted adults and mentors, along with fun opportunities to connect with peers that are accessible both in terms of access to transport and through the use of digital resources for signposting. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be publishing an interim report shortly, and the strategy will be published in autumn.

The Department of Health and Social Care is also working across Government and with NHS England to set up a network of community Young Futures Hubs. Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at a community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling them to thrive.