Cat Smith responds to Association of Young People’s Health 2017 report

Cat
Smith MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs, commenting on the
Association of Young People’s Health 2017 report, said:

“Labour
welcomes this report showing positive downward trends in teenage pregnancy and
substance use.

“However,
the Tories are short-changing young people when it comes to their mental
health. It is completely unacceptable that only 0.7 per cent of NHS funding is
spent on young people’s mental health while 11 per cent of the NHS budget is
spent on mental health services overall.

“I
urge this Government to end their distorted austerity agenda, which is hitting
young people disproportionately, and start promoting youth-friendly health
services.”