Cuts to local government funding and stalling life expectancy

Dan Lewer,Jo Bibby

doi:10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00136-5

Dan Lewer, Jo Bibby

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https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00136-5

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Abstract

Cuts to local government funding and stalling life expectancy

Highlights

Local authorities in England provide a huge range of services that contribute to health and wellbeing, including care for vulnerable children and adults, road maintenance, refuse collection, parks, libraries, and sexual health services
The estimated number of homeless deaths increased by 64% between 2014 and 2019,4 and the number of drug misuse-related deaths increased by 35% between 2013 and 2018.5 The reduction in local government funding has been unequal across the country, with greater cuts in more deprived areas and in the north of England
The Health Index shows that in many places in England, the potential to lead a healthy life has diminished between 2015 and 2017. This points to the ambitions of the Ottawa Charter being unfulfilled in England, and suggests that disinvestment in local government could adversely affect people’s health, both in the short term and longer term

Summary

Introduction

Local authorities in England provide a huge range of services that contribute to health and wellbeing, including care for vulnerable children and adults, road maintenance, refuse collection, parks, libraries, and sexual health services. Cuts to local government funding and stalling life expectancy Between 2010 and 2017, government funding for local authorities halved.[1] As a result of these cuts, spending has become more narrowly focused on statutory responsibilities, such as social care, with other services falling behind.

Results

Conclusion