ADCS response to the Marmot Review: 10 years on report

Stuart Gallimore, ADCS Immediate Past President, said:

“Ten years on from the landmark Marmot Review, this report delivers a stark judgement on widening social and economic inequalities that are clearly impacting the health, wellbeing and life chances of this nation’s children, families and communities.

“The report finds that the health of the population has deteriorated over the last decade and in this time government policies have heightened inequalities. It states austerity is largely at the root of rising child poverty, growing rates of in-work poverty and falling life expectancies. We repeat our plea to this government that if austerity is going to end let it end for children first.

“Since 2010, funding for local government has been halved but need has not, and the report highlights the most deprived areas have lost the greatest amount. In order to manage demand, local authorities have had to cut or scale back on services that our communities rely on and that reduce future demand, such as children’s centres, youth services and libraries. These services are not just ‘nice to have’ they provide a lifeline to our most vulnerable families before they reach crisis point which is why early help and prevention should be at the heart of all policy decisions made in Whitehall.

“The report is clear that more can, and should, be done locally and nationally to enable everyone to thrive at every stage in their lives. ADCS members stand ready to work with government and others to build a country that works for all children but we cannot do this without proper, sustainable investment in children and the full range of services they rely on. The time for action is now.”

ENDS

---

---