The Liberal Democrats have announced that they will add another £1 billion for mental ill health care through putting a penny on income tax. This could equate to approximately £6 million of the party’s additional health funding would be spent in the Grimsby area tackling the “historic injustice” faced by people with mental ill health. 

Last weekend, Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron and Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb unveiled a Five Point NHS and Care Recovery Plan to increase funding for health and social care services, including a penny on income tax to provide a £6 billion funding boost.

The Liberal Democrats announced that they will spend approximately £6 million of this extra money would be ring-fenced as dedicated funding for mental health services in the Grimsby area.

This would help to deliver on 12 key priorities, including improving waiting time standards for mental health care on the NHS and providing support for pregnant women and young people suffering from mental health problems.

The Liberal Democrats will also set out to end the inappropriate use of force against people with mental ill health, end out of area placements for mental health patients and prioritise national action to reduce the number of suicides.

Commenting on the plan, Steve Beasant said:

“The Liberal Democrats  pledge to spend £6 million in in the Grimsby area is important as it demonstrates our commitment to ending the historic injustice against people with mental ill health.

“Health, particularly mental health is a key issue on the doorstep. People want action, not just words and the Liberal Democrats neither Labour nor the Conservatives have outlined how they will fund mental health services.

“We will invest in improving waiting time standards for mental health care in the Grimsby area, end the scandalous use of force against people with mental ill health and prioritise national action to dramatically reduce the number of people who take their own lives.

“The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservatives, and the only party fighting for genuine equality for those who suffer from mental ill health.

“I am pleased that my party have made this a major priority, and the recent report in the Grimsby Telegraph that stated that there are 62,000 mental health disorders in our area show that it is now time to act.”