Mike Yuille 27 November 2018

Public health progress put at risk by cuts

The Government must restore councils’ public health grants because of their important role in the urgent task of improving public health, according to a report from leading health think tank, The King’s Fund.

Its report warns that, without ‘radical change’, progress in improving the nation’s health could ‘grind to a halt’.

The report calls on the Government to use the 2019 Spending Review to reverse its cuts to public health grants.

Currently, councils’ spending per head on public health services is expected to fall by almost a quarter in real terms between 2014/15 and 2019/20. 

The King’s Fund, an independent charity focused on improving health and care in England, argues that the steady growth in lifespan enjoyed by increasingly healthy UK citizens in recent decades can no longer be taken for granted. Evidence for this includes the stalling of progress made against a number of key measures – including life expectancy, infant mortality, adult obesity, and disease survival rates.

It also warns that a ‘yawning gap in health outcomes between rich and poor areas is widening again’. As an example, it says that a woman in Wokingham can now expect to enjoy nearly 17 years more years of healthy life than a woman in Manchester.

David Buck, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, said: ‘After a century of improving health, progress on key outcomes are grinding to a halt. Life expectancy is stalling, our health outcomes are mediocre compared with similar countries and health inequalities are widening. A new vision for the population’s health is needed.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

HDRC Partnerships Officer

Essex County Council
£26786.00 - £31512.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
HDRC Partnerships OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£26,786 to £31,512 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Delivery Lead

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Lead the daily operations of our SEN service, ensuring every child receives the support they deserve. Working as an SEN Delivery Lead means being at t England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Complex Case Officer (SEN)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Support children and young people with complex needs, ensuring they receive the right help at the right time. Working as a Complex Case Officer in ou England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Events Officer - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £18.28 per hour
Events Officer- Harlow District CouncilHarlow, Essex Full time, Temporary £18.28 per hour PAYE Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Cleaner

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role with great benefits? Darlington, Durham
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner