Statement: Health Equity North respond to Wes Streeting’s announcement on health investment in poor areas

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting MP has today (Wednesday June 25, 2025) announced a 10 Year Health Plan to tackle inequalities, prioritising the poorest areas.

Health Equity North Directors have made a joint statement in response to this announcement:

“For over a decade, there has been demonstrable lack of investment for services in deprived areas, and Health Equity North has consistently challenged the need to reverse this trend. Our numerous reports have shown that if the Government is serious about improving the nation’s health, then targeted, place-based approaches that tackle the root causes of ill-health – such as poverty, inadequate health services and regional divestment – must be prioritised.

“The announcement from Wes Streeting to invest more in healthcare in poorer areas is a huge step towards addressing barriers to health equity. We would like to see this supported by a national health inequalities strategy that convenes government departments across Whitehall to put health at the heart of all policies, across all government departments, to address the wider determinants of health.

“We would also like to see a stronger focus on prevention, so that we don’t risk treating symptoms rather than solving problems. We want the UK to be leaders in long-term, sustainable and world-class healthcare, and this must start with  preventative strategies that create healthier communities and reduce the long-term burden on our most vulnerable people.”

• Hannah Davies, Executive Director of Health Equity North and Chief Executive of the Northern Health Science Alliance
• Dr Luke Munford, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, The University of Manchester
• Professor Clare Bambra, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University
• Professor Kate Pickett, Academic Co-Director of Health Equity North and Professor of Epidemiology, University of York
• Professor David Taylor-Robinson, Academic Co-Director of Health Equity North, and Professor of Public Health and Policy at the University of Liverpool