Political Comment: Portsmouth MP backs plans for almost one million more young people to get access to school mental health support this year

• Intervention marks major step forward in delivering the change that families voted for and fulfilling Labour’s manifesto commitment

• 500 schools with weak attendance and poor behaviour to get new intensive support, as Labour drives forward further progress on the 3.1m more days in school to tackle the absence epidemic and deliver Plan for Change

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has backed plans to ensure almost one million more young people will have access to mental health support in school this year.

Under Labour’s plans, all pupils will have access to mental health support in school by 2029/30, delivering on its Plan for Change to improve children’s life chances and tackle the root causes of poor attendance and behaviour.

The support teams are made up of specialists who offer a range of help to identify and tackle issues early on, from group sessions to build children’s resilience to 1:1s helping to manage anxiety – not only tackling the crisis of poor mental health among young people, but also driving up school attendance.

They work directly with school and college staff alongside NHS services to provide professional advice, easing the pressure on school staff and allowing them to help young people get the right support and stay in education.

New research has shown a direct link between the severity of children’s mental health problems and their likelihood to miss school.

The new investment of up to £49m means six in ten pupils will have access to a mental health support team by March 2026, with the rollout prioritised based on NHS identification of local need and reaching the most vulnerable children first.

It comes as Labour unveils a new programme to provide intensive support for 500 schools with significant attendance and behaviour challenges.

New attendance and behaviour hubs, built around 90 schools with a track record of improving attendance and behaviour standards, will directly target the schools with the highest need as well as providing wider support for a further 4,500 in all corners of the country.

These will work alongside new attendance and behaviour ambassadors who will be the link between schools and the government, identifying challenges and working jointly toward solutions.

This move builds on the progress Labour has already made to turn the tide on school attendance, with green shoots already being seen with over three million more days in school than last year.

Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:

“Poor mental health is something that is raised with me time and again by young people and parents alike in Portsmouth. “That’s why I’m so proud that, through our Plan for Change, this Labour government is making good on our promises and expanding access to vital mental health support. “Young people growing up in Portsmouth deserve the best start in life – this Labour government is backing them every step of the way.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

“We inherited a system full of challenges and breaking the vicious cycle of poor mental health, low attendance and bad behaviour among children and young people is the most urgent one facing our schools – and this government is already turning the tide. “Expanding mental health support for young people is one of the single biggest steps we can take to improve children’s life chances, make sure all pupils are getting the very most out of school and deliver excellence for every child. “Taken alongside new intensive support for schools that are struggling, our free breakfast clubs for millions of children and our wider work to drive up school attendance, this government will continue using all available levers to break the destructive link between background and success and deliver on our Plan for Change.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

“Facing mental health problems when you’re young can hold you back in school, damage your potential and leave you with lifelong consequences. It’s devastating and it’s got to change. “That’s why this government is bringing in vital services to schools, so they can intervene early, support pupils, and help prevent conditions from becoming severe. “Backed by an extra £680 million in government funding this year, we are transforming mental health services for children – hiring more staff, delivering more talking therapies, and getting waiting lists down through our Plan for Change – so children can have the best possible start in life.”