A decade of austerity combined with other factors, including the pandemic, has contributed to a worsening public health picture for the UK. The National Health Service across the four nations is not equipped to cope with current levels of demand, with mental health services under particular strain. The burden of chronic disease keeps increasing. The UK has the third-highest level of obesity in Europe.
The outline of this increasingly dire situation is widely accepted. On Monday, Rishi Sunak admitted that his government has not succeeded in cutting waiting lists, as he pledged to. About how to tackle this vast backlog, however, there is less agreement. While health and care services urgently need new funding, there are also calls to address problems caused by poor housing, nutrition and air quality.
