To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of support provided by the third sector in supporting people with eating disorders.

The Department has not made a formal assessment, but we greatly value the role of the voluntary sector in providing support for children and young people with mental health needs, and work closely with a number of leading charities at a national level and throughout the system.

NHS England is responsible for the approval and assurance of clinical commissioning group (CCG) plans for locally-commissioned services, including services for people with eating disorders.

In line with guidance published by NHS England in August, CCGs have produced Local Transformation Plans (LTPs) for children and young people’s mental health with their local partners, including those in the voluntary sector, in line with the proposal in Future in mind. The deadline for receipt of these LTPs was 16 October and they are now being considered by NHS England.