Health Inequalities

Debate between Jo Churchill and Toby Perkins

Wednesday 4th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Jo Churchill]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point, but it typifies the problems we deal with, because air pollution is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Transport and the Department of Health and Social Care. They all have a role to play, and we must ensure we take account of that—it is important that we think about all these different challenges. Helping people to live longer healthier lives while narrowing the gap between the richest and the poorest needs action, a point made by the hon. Member for Coventry South (Zarah Sultana).

[Mr Perkins]

Will the Minister give way?

[Jo Churchill]

If the hon. Gentleman will just bear with me and let me make a little more progress, I will come back to him.

Going forward, I am clear that we must integrate good health into decisions on housing, transport, education, welfare and the economy, because we know that preventing ill health, both physical and mental, is about more than just access to our health services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Jo Churchill]

I will come on to that point in a few minutes, if my right hon. Friend will bear with me.

[Mr Perkins]

The Minister is right that this is a very complicated issue and that health inequalities have existed for a considerable amount of time. On the research she refers to, will she tell us whether local government cuts, which have been greater in the poorest areas, with a significant reduction in health education and prevention work, were mentioned as factors for why this continues to be such a major problem?

[Jo Churchill]

The problems we are dealing with are complex across the piece, which is why we have held the public health budget at the same level this year so that we can start to deliver on them. It is important that local people have local ownership over the issues and challenges in their area, because one size will not fit all.