Labour: Tower Hamlets losing out on public health cash

Deprived areas of east London are losing out on government funding for public health, it has been claimed.

Labour politicians in Tower Hamlets have accused the government of increasing health inequalities after studying figures they say show deprived areas will receive less cash than wealthier ones.

Public health grants in Tower Hamlets amount to the equivalent of £113 per person – while in affluent Kensington and Chelsea the grant is £130 per person.

MP for Bethnal Green and Bow Rushanara Ali said: “I am appalled that the government is taking this course of action and it shows that you cannot trust the Tories with the NHS.

“This will damage the ability of local healthcare providers to meet people’s health needs in deprived areas and could further increase health inequalities”, she added.

Men and women in Kensington and Chelsea are expected to live eight years longer than those in Tower Hamlets.

Labour claim the differences in funding between poor and rich areas will only worsen existing problems.