What are synthetic drugs?
New, synthetic versions of harmful drugs, including synthetic opioids and synthetic cannabinoids, are increasingly found in UK’s illegal drug markets.

MPs will debate a report from the independent Mental Health Taskforce to the NHS in England on Wednesday 13 April 2016 from 2.30 to 4.00pm in Westminster Hall. James Morris MP will lead the debate. This House of Commons Library Debate Pack includes a briefing, press and Parliamentary coverage of the report and the issues it contains.
Report from the independent mental health taskforce to the NHS in England (242 KB , PDF)
The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health: A report from the independent Mental Health Taskforce to the NHS in England was published in February 2016. The Taskforce was launched by NHS England and was independently chaired by Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind.
The Mental Health Taskforce made a series of recommendations for improving outcomes in mental health by 2020/21, encompassing three broad areas:
The recommendations to be delivered by 2021 include:
The Government has said it welcomes the report’s recommendations, and will work with NHS England and other partners to establish a plan for implementing its recommendations.[1] The Minister for Community and Social Care, Alistair Burt, said:
The Government’s Mandate to the NHS 2016-17 also contains a directive for the NHS to implement agreed actions from the Mental Health Taskforce.[3]
The report also called for an additional investment of £1 billion by 2020/21 to implement change in the priority areas identified by the Taskforce. In response, the Government pledged that an extra £1 billion will be invested in mental health care by 2021 and a million more people will get mental health support.[4]
A House of Commons Library briefing, Mental health policy in England (CBP-7547) provides a summary of Government policy introduced under the 2010-2015 Coalition Government, and under the 2015 Conservative Government.
[1] HC Deb 23 February 2016 c153-4
[2] PQ 28310 [on Mental Health Services: Finance], 29 February 2016
[3] Department of Health, The Government’s mandate to NHS England for 2016-17, page 18
[4] Department of Health, New investment in mental health services, 16 February 2016
Report from the independent mental health taskforce to the NHS in England (242 KB , PDF)
New, synthetic versions of harmful drugs, including synthetic opioids and synthetic cannabinoids, are increasingly found in UK’s illegal drug markets.
An overview of the current system of support for children and young people with special educational needs, and pressure on the system. Updated with new 2024-25 SEND incidence and EHC plan data
This briefing focuses on two disease-modifying dementia drugs that are currently being appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): lecanemab and donanemab