Labour has called on the government to reduce mental health waiting lists for young people, after publishing an analysis showing that more than 270,000 young people waited longer than three months for care or had their referrals closed.
The party said that almost one in three children and young people referred by a professional did not access any NHS mental health treatment.
Its analysis of 2021-22 data shows that 232,000 of the children and adolescents referred received no treatment before their referral was closed.
Labour has previously said that ending independent schools’ tax breaks would provide government funding that it would spend on specialist mental health professionals in schools.
Tonight, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson is challenging the government to support this plan.
She said: “Failing to end the scandal of children stranded for months on mental health treatment waiting lists is a calculated political choice by the Conservatives.
“It’s not ‘the politics of envy’ to want to see an end to the epidemic of mental ill health among young people in our state schools; the truth is, for the Conservatives, these are other people’s children.”
Labour’s analysis, published tonight, found that the average time that a child who was treated by child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) waited to receive care was now 41 days.
The party said this was based on the most recent data for Camhs waiting lists for 2021-22.
Last week, a report by a group of state and independent schools called for mandated national waiting times for pupils accessing Camhs.
The school leaders said that vulnerable children were being let down because of delays in being able to access services.
The recommendation was made by the Coalition for Youth Mental Health in Schools, which comprises Alleyn’s School, Danes Educational Trust, Eton College, Lady Eleanor Holles School, Oasis Community Learning, Reach Academy Feltham, Star Academies, St Paul’s School and Wellington College.
It comes after the Department for Education rejected calls from the Commons Education Select Committee for a major cross-government review of children’s mental health needs, amid warnings about the impact that strained services are having on schools.
The DfE has been approached for a comment.
