British Heart Foundation: Tipping Point Report

Lord Scriven Excerpts

Tuesday 8th November 2022 Lords Chamber

[Lord Markham (Con)]

My understanding is that that is something for in-depth research, which I do not have at my fingertips. I will inquire and write back to the noble Lord.

[Lord Scriven (LD)]

My Lords, following on with prevention, prevention measures lead to fewer premature deaths from heart disease, yet this Government have slashed the public health grant by 24%, on a real terms per-person basis, since 2015-16. Some of the largest reductions over this period were in stop-smoking services and tobacco control, which fell by 41% in real terms. Do the Government not understand that decimating public health budgets means more heart disease and premature deaths?

[Lord Markham (Con)]

We are at the forefront of trying to encourage healthier eating, as per the sugary drinks levy and through product placement in shops. We have been at the forefront of anti-drinking and anti-smoking initiatives and are very much in favour of the smoke-free agenda. These are all key elements of our five-year healthier life plan. It takes these things into account because, as I say, prevention really is better than cure.