This week I wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in regards to restoring public health grants.
Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke falls within one of the 20 percent most deprived district authorities in England with 52.8 per cent of residents living in disadvantaged circumstances, an unemployment level higher than the national average and poor mental and physical health. In Stoke-on-Trent the life expectancy is lower than the national average for both men and women.
Over the past few years, funding for local authorities has suffered as the Government made tough decisions to keep the economy thriving. However, I believe it is time to reinvest in our local authorities and increase public health grants to protect our most vulnerable citizens, especially in the wake of COVID-19. I would also like to see a dedicated, long-term social care plan to safeguard essential services across the country.