A statement from Place2Be’s Chief Executive, Catherine Roche, on the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement.

We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement today that education and health spending will be protected. We know from our work supporting school communities across the UK how important it is to invest in the services that support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. 

The Chancellor also confirmed that the UK is in recession and is facing unprecedented economic times, which will impact on the communities that Place2Be supports. 

1 in 6 children and young people have a probable mental health issue, and many continue to have these problems into adulthood. This situation has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, and the current cost of living crisis. Mental health costs the UK economy at least £118 billion a year. So as a society, there is a strong case for investing in prevention and early intervention. This makes both moral and economic sense, as for every £1 invested in mental health support in primary schools, society gains £8 in economic benefits. 

We believe all children should have the opportunity to meet their full potential. Place2Be will continue to promote the importance of investing in mental health from an early age, and to deliver support in schools across the UK to make this a reality.

Learn more about Place2Be’s policy work