Local Authorities: Public Health Budget

Lord McKenzie of Luton Excerpts

Wednesday 15th July 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

A condition of the grant to local authorities is that they take on the responsibilities that the Secretary of State has under the Health and Social Care Act to reduce inequalities. As statutory bodies, local authorities have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to provide equal opportunities for people with protected characteristics.

[Lord McKenzie of Luton (Lab)]

My Lords, just last month, the Secretary of State for Health told the Commons:

“The big change we need to see in the NHS over this Parliament is a move from a focus on cure to a focus on prevention”.—[Official Report, Commons, 2/6/15; col. 459.]

Two days later, on 4 June, the Chancellor announced a £200 million cut in the Budget. How joined up is that, and how is it justified?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

Most people in this House will recognise that a strong and successful National Health Service depends on a strong and successful economy. Sometimes Governments have to take difficult decisions to improve the long-term strength of the economy, which is what we did in that case.