Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Health Inequalities

Tuesday 23 April 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Professor Sir Michael Marmot's report confirms 1 million people in England lived shorter lives due to political choices from 2011-2019.
  • The Secretary of State supports Breast Cancer Now's campaign and announced 50 million for research into maternity disparities for women of colour.
  • The Secretary of State emphasizes levelling up efforts to address environmental factors impacting health, including education and housing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
NHS
Context

Professor Sir Michael Marmot's report highlighted that political choices led to 1 million people living shorter lives than they should between 2011 and 2019, with the pandemic further exacerbating these inequalities.

Question

In January, Professor Sir Michael Marmot published “Health Inequalities, Lives Cut Short”, confirming that due to political choices from 2011-2019, 1 million people in England lived shorter lives. These lives cut short are matched by shorter lives in good health. Does the Secretary of State believe in evidence-based health and accept the overwhelming evidence showing current levels of ill health reflect escalating poverty and service cuts, including to the NHS?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

No, I do not. I would point to legislation brought forward last week as the largest public health reform aimed at helping constituents facing inequalities. Smoking rates are disproportionately higher in poorer communities, leading us to introduce landmark legislation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific evidence and its implications were not directly addressed; only a reference was made to new legislation without detailing how it addresses the issue.

How: Dismissive Of Evidence, Introduced New Topic

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Q2 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
NHS
Context

Breast Cancer Now is campaigning to improve breast cancer screening, especially among minority ethnic women.

Question

Will the Secretary of State support Breast Cancer Now's campaign for improving breast cancer screening uptake, particularly in minority ethnic communities?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Agrees on prioritising women's health and announced £50 million research into maternity disparities for women of colour. Also responded to calls for lobular breast cancer research, addressing 15% of diagnoses without adequate evidence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly support the campaign or address screening rates specifically; instead highlighted other initiatives.

How: Changed Subject, Introduced New Topic

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Q3 Theresa Villiers Con
NHS
Context

Inner city residents of the Bradford district have a life expectancy up to 20 years less than those living in more affluent parts, due to underinvestment and cuts.

Question

Someone living in inner-city Bradford is likely to live 20 years less than those in affluent areas. This reflects 14 years of underinvestment in NHS and community services. Will the Secretary of State admit that the Government does not care about people from places like Bradford?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Levelling up is about addressing education, housing, and other environmental factors impacting health. The Government will draw together a cross-Government strategy for major conditions to help people live healthier lives.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific failure or lack of care towards Bradford; changed topic entirely.

How: Changed Subject, General Principles

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Q4 Imran Hussain Lab Bradford East
Economy
Context

Proposed NHS plans to close St Peter's Hospital in Maldon would worsen health inequalities. Levelling-up funding could facilitate investment in localised health services.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that levelling-up funding should be prioritised for new health services in areas like Maldon, to tackle existing health inequalities?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Encourages prioritising local needs with the levelling-up fund, allowing decisions by local agencies and councils to include health improvements as an integral part of mission to better constituents' lives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly support use of funds for specific new services or address hospital closure; instead promoted flexibility of funding approach.

How: Introduced Procedural Context, Changed Subject

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Q5 Priti Patel Con Witham
NHS Economy Children & Families
Context

Labour increased life expectancy by three years; under current government, it has stalled for the first time in a century. People in Blackpool face four and a half fewer years of life than average.

Question

Is the Secretary State proud of the shocking record that people in Blackpool are expected to live 4.5 years less than the national average under this Government, compared to Labour's three-year increase?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Proud of background but points out Conservative efforts in Lancashire for communities like Blackpool. Criticizes the poor NHS waiting times record in Labour-run Wales.

Not addressed: Did not address own government's performance; instead attacked opposition's record.

How: Attacking Opponent, Changing Topic

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