The Government must review how psychology students can gain the practical experience and clinical skills needed to become qualified mental health practitioners as part of an undergraduate degree. This could help to solve the mental health, NHS recruitment and graduate employment crisis.

Those with a psychology undergraduate qualification are not recognised as qualified professionals, unlike social work or nursing graduates. It has been reported that mental health costs the UK £118 billion annually. In 2023 the Government said the NHS needs 8,500 more practitioners, and over 42,000 students graduated in psychology that same year, but recruitment remains unsolved. We believe introducing licensing degrees would create a workforce, boost the economy, and strengthen mental health support.