UPDATE: Prof Sir Michael Marmot has issued an urgent warning that children in Newcastle and Liverpool face dire health inequalities compared to their peers in London. Speaking at a Kings Fund event, Marmot stressed the need for immediate action to ensure that young people in these cities have equal life chances.
The stark reality is that only 19% of parents believe their children will be better off than they are—a figure Marmot deems an “absolute calamity.” He highlighted that moving to London should not be a prerequisite for opportunity, urging policymakers to focus on enhancing life chances in northern cities.
Marmot, who leads the University College London Institute of Health Equity, stated, “The question is not: ‘Do young people have to move to London?’ but: ‘How can we create the life chances in Newcastle and Liverpool that presumably young people in London have to a greater extent?’” His comments come in light of a new report from the Institute of Health Equity and children’s charity Barnardo’s, which reveals alarming health outcomes for children in the UK—some of the worst in Europe.
The report emphasizes that children are being “failed” by the current health system, with many growing up in poor conditions that hinder their development. “England is failing its children,” Marmot warned, highlighting issues like cold, overcrowded homes, food insecurity, and polluted environments as critical social determinants of health.
In response to these findings, Marmot is calling for the government to prioritize “equity of health and wellbeing” in all policy initiatives, particularly those affecting children. His advocacy comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently announced measures aimed at reducing child poverty. Reeves claimed her proposals would yield “the biggest ever reduction in child poverty in a Parliament ever.”
As the government prepares to address these pressing issues, the focus remains on creating a healthier future for children across the UK. The call for action is clear: without immediate changes, the gap in life chances will only widen, leaving children in Newcastle and Liverpool at a significant disadvantage.
Residents and stakeholders in these communities are urged to engage with policymakers to ensure that children’s health and wellbeing are at the forefront of future developments. The time to act is now—children’s futures depend on it.
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