Context
In 2013, the coalition government reduced the health inequalities weighting in the NHS formula, resulting in less funding for deprived areas. This reduction was despite evidence showing that £10 million invested in such areas resulted in four fewer men and two fewer women dying early.
Question
Can my hon. Friend reassure Government Members that the health inequalities weighting will be reinstated so that we can ensure that deprived areas get the funding they need and that lives are saved?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ashley Dalton)
The Government mandate to NHS England published on 30 January makes the importance of tackling health inequalities clear. NHS England has an existing programme targeting the most deprived 20% of the population, with funding incorporated into ICB allocations. The weighting of the health inequalities adjustment has been increased from 10% to 10.2%, ensuring that ICBs still benefit from extra investment, with funds redistributed to areas based on measures of avoidable mortality.
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