Why is mental health getting worse? The NHS and GP services have been stretched for years,, but the biggest issue has been the attitude of politicians and people in power.
"Over diagnosis" is a term that seems to come up, and a narrative that many people aren't actually sick.
Mental health services continue to be cut and a real strategy which recognises and understands the condition has never been implemented.
I've seen first hand the massive reduction in services and budgets in the last year. This will kill people, and we will have more unnecessary loss of lives.
There are celebrities and famous people who talk about their mental health problems, but no one truly champions or advocates for those who are struggling.
The challenges for ordinary people are real. If you are faced with mental health difficulties, there is support, but accessing it is a lottery and continuous care under the NHS is completely inadequate.
Charities try, but they remain underresourced to plug a gap that needs the full attention and compassion we've famously had historically for other diseases, in this country.
Why is it so hard for people to see it and recognise that it is an issue? I think it's simply the case of people who are out of touch with the realities many people face. Read the comments for the YouTube video I've included at the top of this post. One of them, liked 145 times, describes the country as broken. And it is.
Mental health is a serious condition. It's an epidemic. It's time we started making more and better inroads. We've made progress over the last few decades, since I first began blogging about it.
However, troublingly we seem to be going backwards since the pandemic, when actually this should have ignited investment. It should have been about truly correcting the injustice of ignoring some of our most vulnerable people who need us to speak for them.
I welcome the independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services in England, but wonder whether it will result in change that will help a growing crisis around the country, and in fact, the world.
As the Autumn budget is coming up, I wondered what AI would suggest.
Background
For many years I felt angry and upset about how we were governed in the UK. It felt like we were being let down by those we trusted to take care of our country.
Issues
With the change in government, we were given hope that grown ups were now taking over. Issues such as immigration, cost of living, the economy and the NHS continue to frustrate me. The government can do more and be better, but it does seem they actually are taking some steps in the right direction.
Stability was the biggest failing of the former government, with constant changes in leadership and management. It also seemed there was a significant amount of financial irresponsibility previously.
Is this a popular government? I'd say no. They do need to do more to win the public. They need to communicate better and more effectively, to be more in touch with the mood and problems of the people.
The Future
I see so much potential in this country and I think we need more about what our vision for the future is too.
First and foremost fix the urgent issues of everyday people - security, health and money. They go to the core of people's happiness. If people are happy, they are not complaining and we will thrive.
The international stage has been a huge distraction and it is a difficult balance for them to deal with both the problems at home and abroad. I'm glad we're not in a war and that we have a role in global issues.
The budget
The next budget needs to do more. I asked copilot, and this is what it suggested:
An ideal UK budget would balance economic growth with public trust by investing in the NHS, tackling the cost of living, reforming immigration systems, and strengthening international security — all while reinforcing Labour’s leadership on fairness and renewal.
Here’s how the next budget could achieve this:
1. Cost of Living: Relief + Growth
Raise Universal Credit thresholds and expand eligibility to support low-income households.
Freeze energy bills for vulnerable groups and invest in home insulation to reduce long-term costs. Cut VAT on essential goods or offer targeted subsidies for food and transport. Support small businesses with tax relief and grants to stimulate local economies.
Impact: Eases pressure on households, boosts consumer confidence, and shows Labour is responsive to everyday struggles.
2. NHS: Funding + Reform
Increase NHS funding by £29 billion annually, as outlined in the 2025 Spending Review. Expand GP and mental health services, especially in underserved areas. Invest in NHS workforce retention through pay rises and training programs. Digitize health records and streamline admin to reduce wait times and improve care delivery.
Impact: Demonstrates commitment to public health and tackles one of the UK’s most urgent concerns
3. Immigration: Fairness + Control
End hotel use for asylum seekers by investing in community-based housing and faster processing. Launch a Border Security Command to disrupt smuggling networks and improve border safety. Create legal migration pathways tied to labour market needs, especially in care and construction. Support integration through language training and civic service opportunities.
Impact: Balances compassion with control, addressing public concerns while upholding human rights.
4. International Security: Stability + Strategy
Increase defence spending modestly, focusing on cyber defence and NATO commitments. Expand humanitarian aid and climate resilience funding to stabilize fragile regions. Strengthen diplomatic ties through trade and security partnerships, especially post-Brexit.
Impact: Positions the UK as a responsible global actor and reinforces national security.
5. Economic Growth: Investment + Innovation
Boost infrastructure spending in transport, housing, and green energy. Create a National Innovation Fund to support AI, biotech, and clean tech startups. Reform business rates to support high streets and attract investment. Introduce a Green Jobs Guarantee to train workers for the low-carbon economy.
Impact: Drives long-term growth, job creation, and climate leadership.
I asked about interest rates, electricity and a wealth tax, as I think these go to the heart of some of our problems. This was copilots response.
To improve the UK economy and Labour’s popularity, the next budget should address interest rates, electricity prices, and wealth taxation with targeted, equitable reforms that ease household pressure and signal fiscal responsibility.
Here’s how each issue could be tackled:
Interest Rates: Coordination with the Bank of England
Current status: Interest rates remain at 4% due to persistent inflation (3.8%)
Budget strategy:
Avoid inflationary spending that could force further rate hikes.
Focus on targeted support (e.g. energy subsidies, childcare relief) rather than broad stimulus.
Signal fiscal discipline to reassure markets and support future rate cuts.
Why it matters: Lower interest rates reduce mortgage and loan costs, boosting consumer confidence and spending. Electricity Prices: Energy Security + Affordability
Current pressure: Energy bills remain high, especially for low-income households. Budget strategy: Expand windfall taxes on energy giants to fund household rebates. Invest in renewables and grid upgrades to reduce long-term costs. Introduce tiered pricing: lower rates for essential usage, higher for luxury consumption.
Why it matters: Tackling energy costs directly addresses the cost-of-living crisis and supports climate goals.
Wealth Tax: Fairness + Revenue
Current proposals: Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to target asset-rich households, not earnings. Budget strategy: Introduce a mansion tax on properties above £2 million. Reform capital gains and inheritance tax to close loopholes and raise revenue. Consider a net wealth tax on assets above £10 million, with exemptions for pensions and primary residences.
Why it matters: A well-designed wealth tax can raise billions without hurting middle-income earners — reinforcing Labour’s fairness narrative.
My final question to copilot related to wealth taxes and how they can try to get this right. It suggested on unintended consequences:
1. Capital Flight and Tax Avoidance
High-net-worth individuals may move assets offshore or relocate to avoid the tax. Complex asset structures (trusts, offshore holdings) make enforcement difficult.
Avoidance strategy:
Introduce exit taxes for those relocating wealth abroad. Strengthen international cooperation on asset transparency and reporting. Phase in the tax gradually to allow compliance and planning.
2. Reduced Investment and Growth
Investors may shift capital away from UK businesses, especially startups and property. Long-term GDP could decline by 2–5% based on modelling from Germany and the US.
Avoidance strategy:
Exempt productive assets like business equity, pensions, and farmland. Offer investment incentives alongside the tax (e.g. R&D credits, green bonds). Cap the tax at a modest rate (e.g. 1–2%) to avoid discouraging entrepreneurship.
3. Administrative Complexity
Valuing illiquid assets (art, private companies) is difficult and costly. Enforcement requires significant HMRC resources.
Avoidance strategy:
Focus on high-value, easily valued assets (e.g. property, listed shares). Use self-reporting with audit triggers for complex cases. Pilot the tax with ultra-high-net-worth individuals before scaling.
4. Political and Media Backlash
Lobby groups may frame it as anti-business or punitive. Media may amplify fears of middle-class impact.
Avoidance strategy:
Frame the tax as a fairness measure, not a punishment. Use clear thresholds (e.g. assets over £10 million) to reassure middle-income voters. Highlight public benefits: NHS funding, energy relief, education investment.
Definitelythe biggest concern is investors shifting capital away from UK businesses, especially startups and property. We need to encourage this and I was tempted to ask AI more about this. But ultimately this is the job of governments and civil servants.
I hope the UK government do work out a good budget with the help of AI, as that sets the framework and landscape for the future, so we are all happier and healthier this time next year.
I asked AI about international solutions that could also be applied to the asylum housing problem in the UK.
The response has been included below. I wonder if there's potential for Canada, Germany and Sweden's models to work here?
Tensions continue to increase over concerns about the cost, the impact on communities and public safety.
It's hard to know how much the government actually understands or is addressing these problems as we're getting little information or communication.
Funding it needs to be done responsibly and with due consideration of what the people of this country want.
AI Response (Co-pilot)
Several international asylum housing strategies could be adapted effectively for the UK. Here are the most promising ones, tailored to Britain's context:
🇨🇦 Canada’s Private Sponsorship Model
How it works: Community groups, charities, or individuals sponsor asylum seekers, providing housing and support.
Why it fits the UK:
Britain has a strong civil society and charitable sector.
Could reduce pressure on government housing and foster community integration.
Implementation idea: Expand existing refugee sponsorship schemes to include asylum seekers, with government oversight and funding.
🇳🇱 Netherlands’ Mixed-Use Housing
How it works: Asylum seekers live alongside students and low-income residents in shared housing developments.
Why it fits the UK:
Promotes social cohesion and reduces stigma.
Could be piloted in university towns or urban regeneration zones.
Implementation idea: Partner with housing associations and universities to create inclusive housing hubs.
