Health experts warn ‘people will die’ from government cuts

Public health experts are warning that “people will die” as a consequence of reported cuts to social security by the chancellor. 

Writing in the British Medical Journal, they say life expectancy has already worsened in the UK’s most disadvantaged areas over the last 15 years as a result of austerity measures. 

The warning comes on the eve of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, where she will likely announce a wave of spending cuts. 

Professor Gerry McCartney, of the University of Glasgow, said: “There is now substantial evidence that cuts to social security since 2010 have fundamentally harmed the health of the UK population. 

“Implementing yet more cuts will therefore result in more premature deaths. It is vital that the UK Government understands this evidence and takes a different policy approach.” 

Last week, work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall announced a wave of cuts to welfare, which she said will save the public purse £5bn by 2030. 

The move has been deeply unpopular with some Labour MPs. Brian Leishman described the cuts to Holyrood as “a ridiculous notion” and said there is “absolutely no doubt in my mind that these cuts are going to impoverish already vulnerable, disadvantaged people living in our society today”.  

McCartney added: “Fifteen years of austerity policies have left the health of the population in this terrible position. What is needed now is substantial re-investment in public services and the social security system to help improve the health of the population and to create high-quality jobs. There is no shortcut to solving this problem.” 

Professor Danny Dorling from the University of Oxford added: “There is a ‘moral case’ to help the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society, not to enact measures which we know will cause immense suffering.”