Experts warn that the UK’s failure to address the children’s mental health crisis could result in over £1 trillion in lost lifetime earnings.
The Future Minds Campaign’s research suggests that this crisis undermines government growth objectives by diminishing tax revenue and escalating benefit expenditures.
Additionally, it causes a £24 billion annual loss in productivity for employers, coupled with a staggering £1 trillion in forfeited earnings.
Councillor Arooj Shah, who leads the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, emphasises the urgent need for substantial investment in children’s services in the forthcoming Spending Review.
She also recommends that the Government reassess the mental health support teams in schools and aid local authorities in offering parenting programmes and community-based peer support networks.
