The Government is being urged to address the number of suicides in the UK which is at an “unacceptable” level, according a report by the health select committee.

The number of deaths by suicide was 4,820 in England in 2015, part of a UK-wide figure of 6,188 and the group of MPs want to highlight that suicide is preventable in many cases.

A mother who lost her son to suicide and who gave evidence to the committee said: "My son wasn't hard to reach, it was the services that were hard to reach."

The report notes that suicide is a health equality issue as people in the lowest socio-economic groups living in the most deprived areas are ten times more at risk of suicide that those in the most affluent group in the least deprived areas.

Tory MP and committee chairwoman Sarah Wollaston said: "4,820 people are recorded as having died by suicide in England last year, but the true figure is likely to be higher.

"Suicide is preventable and much more can and should be done to support those at risk.

"I hope to see the most important messages from witnesses to our inquiry taken into account by the Government in their renewed suicide prevention strategy.

"The committee will scrutinise the updated strategy and then hold a follow-up hearing before publishing a full report."

The 2014 suicide rate in England (10.3 deaths per 100,000) was the highest seen since 2004, and the 2015 rate was only marginally lower at 10.1.

The largest percentage increase last year was seen in London where the rate increased by 33 per cent, from 7.8 in 2014 to 10.4 deaths per 100,000 population in 2015.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 49 in addition to accounting for three quarters of all suicide.

It is also the leading cause of death in people aged between 15 and 24.

In the report the Health Select Committee has set out five key areas for consideration by the Government, which is due to set out a new plan for suicide prevention in the New Year.

This included having a clear implementation programme, providing better support for people who are at risk, ensuring professionals highlight the benefits of involving family and friends in the recovery process.

The report also noted the importance of swift responses to suspected suicides and that the media must abide by guidelines relating to suicide to ensure it does not provoke copycat behaviour.