England suffers ‘unprecedented’ drop in health after a decade of austerity

Most deprived areas of the northeast saw the largest falls in life expectancy, writes Shaun Lintern

Landmark report also shows child poverty increase of 22 per cent (Getty)

A decade of austerity has widened health inequalities in the UK with people living in poor health for longer and life expectancy stalling for the first time in a century, a new report has concluded.

Ten years after publishing a landmark report for the Labour government into health inequalities Professor Sir Michael Marmot has re-examined the evidence and delivered a bleak assessment of modern day Britain.

According to the report, for the poorest 10 per cent of women, life expectancy actually fell between 2010-12 and 2016-18 while child poverty increased to 22 per cent, compared 10 per cent in Norway, Iceland and The Netherlands.

The report, published by the Institute of Health Equity, said the north/south gap in life expectancy has worsened, with the largest fall in life expectancy seen in the most deprived 10 per cent of neighbourhoods in the northeast, compared to the least deprived 10 per cent of neighbourhoods in London, where life expectancy saw the biggest rise.

It also found youth centres had been closed and education funding reduced alongside a 40 per cent hike in school exclusions and rising violent youth crime. It said this was linked to a housing crisis and increases in homelessness as families lack the money to fund a healthy life.

Death rates are also increasing for men and women aged 45-49 which could be linked to so-called “deaths of despair” with rising rates of suicide, drugs and alcohol abuse.

The dire assessment could not be explained by higher winter deaths with the UK seeing a worse performance than most countries in Europe.

The report said: “Put simply, if health has stopped improving it is a sign that society has stopped improving. Evidence from around the world shows that health is a good measure of social and economic progress. When a society is flourishing health tends to flourish. When a society has large social and economic inequalities there are large inequalities in health.”

Sir Michael said: “This damage to the nation’s health need not have happened. It is shocking. The UK has been seen as a world leader in identifying and addressing health inequalities but something dramatic is happening. This report is concerned with England, but in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the damage to health and wellbeing is similarly unprecedented.”

He added: “Austerity has taken a significant toll on equity and health and it is likely to continue to do so… if you ask me if that is the reason for the worsening health picture I’d say it is highly likely that is responsible for the life expectancy flatlining, people’s health deteriorating and the widening of health inequalities.”

In his report, Sir Michael said the ability of poorer areas to improve had “been undermined” by the cuts to public spending.

He said: “The national government has not prioritised health inequalities, despite the concerning trends there has been no national health inequalities strategy since 2010.”

He added: “It is not enough for the government simply to declare that austerity is over.” He said the goal should be to bring the level of health in deprived northern areas up to the level enjoyed by communities in the south.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the report was a “devastating verdict on 10 years of austerity under the Conservatives” adding: “There is no greater social injustice than people dying sooner because of poverty and austerity.”

Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, which commissioned the report said: “Having secured new support from voters in ‘red wall’ areas, there is a real opportunity for the government to show more leadership to narrow the health gap.”

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, called on the Chancellor to increase spending on public health in next month’s budget saying he should “prioritise funding for the most deprived areas first.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:

“

"I thank Professor Sir Michael Marmot for his dedicated work to shine a light on this vital issue. His findings show just how important this agenda is, and renew my determination to level up health life expectancy across our country. After all, levelling up health is the most important levelling up of all.

“There is still much more to do, and our bold prevention agenda, record £33.9 billion a year investment in the NHS, and world-leading plans to improve children’s health will help ensure every person can lead a long and healthy life.”