The Association’s response to The Green Party’s General Election 2024 Manifesto

The Green Party published their new General Election Manifesto: “Real Hope. Real Change.”, which sets out their vision for a “fairer, greener country”.

We welcome their call for mental health to be put on an equal footing with physical health care, for the implementation of a legal framework that supports the rights of those struggling with their mental health to be respected, and for increased funding for faster access to mental health care and support, as well as tailored provisions to meet the needs of minoritised communities, children and young people, older people, and LGBTIQA+ communities.

We also welcome The Green Party’s recognition of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis which has an extensive mental health impact. We are pleased to see their commitment to introducing universal basic income, increasing Universal Credit and legacy benefits by £40 a week, increase in the minimum wage, and abolishing the two-child benefit cap, which will lift 250,000 children out of poverty.

The party has also called for an investment of £20 billion to address the workforce shortage and long waiting lists in the social care sector, which we welcome, as well as further support for people living with disabilities, and a four-day working week that will enable better work-life balance.

There is a further need to recognise the role of the VCSE mental health sector and address inequalities in the mental health system. We would have liked to see reform of the Mental Health Act included as well as an emphasis on the importance of mental health social care included in this manifesto.