Ed Miliband will today lay out “a radical improvement” in mental health provision, making it part of Labour’s plan to “sustain and improve” the NHS in the 21st century.

The Labour leader promised there would be more emphasis on prevention, early intervention and better support for young people if elected in May.

He will highlight the “scandal of failure and false economies” in the neglected area of mental health provision.

Mr Miliband, who will be speaking at a visit to a mental health group in Enfield, is to unveil damning findings of an independent mental health taskforce report into the issue, which he commissioned two years ago.

The research reveals that half of all hospital in-patients have a mental health condition, rising numbers of young people are needing serious mental health support, while unaddressed mental health problems are costing the NHS billions each year in terms of worse physical health.

“Taking action to improve mental health is essential if we are to thrive as a nation and ensure the NHS remains sustainable,” Mr Miliband said.

Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS, to be revealed later this month, will contain key measures to integrate mental and physical health provision with social care to ensure problems get identified and addressed as early as possible.

These include ensuring that the training of all NHS staff includes mental health so problems get spotted. Meanwhile those with complex physical and mental health conditions will be given a single point of contact for all of their care.