VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Mental Health Services: Recruitment

Asked by Mr Andrew SnowdenConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 22 May 2026UIN 995

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department are making towards recruiting 8,500 additional mental health staff.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, in February the Government delivered on its commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers this Parliament, three years ahead of schedule.

Between 30 June 2024 and 28 February 2026, the mental health workforce has grown by 8,716 full time equivalents. Further information is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim