Chamber and committees

On 3 September 2019 the First Minister announced £17 million of additional funding over 2020-21 and 2021-22 for use on community mental health and wellbeing services for 5-24 year olds. In line with that announcement, an initial sum of £2m was allocated to local authorities in March 2020 to enable the development of new and enhanced community mental health and wellbeing services for 5-24 year olds, their families and carers.

The pandemic understandably impacted on local authorities’ planning and delivery and as a result services will not start until January 2021. There is £3.75 million in the 2020-21 budget to fund these services and £15 million is expected to be available for 2021-22, assuming services are fully in place.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health’s announcement on 2 November 2020, confirmed the allocation of the £3.75 million in 2020-21 for new and enhanced community mental health and wellbeing services, in addition to announcing a new fund.

The new fund of £11.25m is for local authorities to provide community mental health and wellbeing services for 5-24 year olds, their families and carers impacted by the pandemic. This fund is more reactive than the former which has a greater focus on prevention and early intervention.

Table 1 – Scottish Government funding to local authorities for the delivery of community mental health and wellbeing services for 5-24 year olds.