Liz McInnes MP calls for rethink on public health funding cuts

Liz McInnes MP

Liz McInnes, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, has spoken in Parliament about the huge cuts to public health budgets in recent years and the impact of this on vital local services.

Praising the work of public health providers, Ms McInnes pointed out that £8 million in cuts in four years is taking its toll and leaving the system facing impossible choices. Ms McInnes also called on the Government to 'think again' about the false economy of cutting public health funding.   

Ms McInnes said: “In the last four years, the public health budget for Rochdale borough has been cut by more than £8 million. This week in Parliament I spoke about the impact of these cuts on support to HIV charities, children’s playgroups, physical activity events, pest control, smoking cessation services and other much-needed vital services.

“As funding pressures continue, the choices faced by public health providers are stark. Do they stop support for a necessary service such as help for domestic abuse victims, or do they not recruit much-needed staff?

“With the shocking news that we are seeing the return of diseases of the Victorian era—cases of whooping cough, malnutrition and scarlet fever are all increasing—the Government cannot be complacent and must take another look at their false economy of cutting public health funding.”

Watch Liz’s full speech and find out more at:

• www.lizmcinnesmp.org.uk/blog/2019/05/17/publichealthcuts/