IPPR launches blueprint that reimagines Britain’s health policy

The report suggests taxing health polluters such as tobacco and alcohol companies would incentivise businesses to relinquish unhealthy products, and fund health schemes

An ambitious blueprint for national health aims to kick-start a rethink of health policy, boost wellbeing, and drive economic growth. The Institute for Public Policy Research’s (IPPR) cross-party Commission on Health and Prosperity claims that its plan moves away from a ‘reactive, sickness-orientated 20th-century healthcare system that only intervenes when people get sick’, towards a proactive 21st-century health creation system, that works with the NHS’ ‘sickness service’ to create good health across work, school and home. It suggests the move could add 10 years to healthy life expectancy by 2055 and halve regional health inequalities.

The IPPR also believes that better health is Britain’s greatest untapped path to prosperity after linking the worsening public health crisis to a faltering economic performance.

"For too long, the default political answer to this country's health crisis has been more of the same: more doctors, more hospitals…It's time to think differently,” said Lord James Bethell, former Health Minister and Commissioner. “There is no more exciting vision for the future of Britain than in the reform agenda put forward by this report. It's time for a new health policy where we all play our part."

The Royal College of Physicians agrees: “…improving access to care, investing in public health, and targeting the social determinants of health are essential to creating a fairer and healthier society,” said Dr Mumtaz Patel, Acting President. “Good health is an economic asset.”

The report suggests taxing health polluters, including tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food companies, could raise over £10 billion annually by the end of the parliament, create market incentives for businesses to move away from the sale of unhealthy products, and fund new good health schemes.

"A levy on tobacco companies provides the resources needed to create a smoke-free country at pace, delivering benefits for British productivity and reducing demands on public finances.”

"A levy on tobacco companies provides the resources needed to create a smoke-free country at pace, delivering benefits for British productivity and reducing demands on public finances,” said Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), which has called for a cap on the wholesale price of tobacco to reduce profits companies can make.

The report also recommends establishing ‘Health and Prosperity Improvement (HAPI) zones’, akin to Clean Air Zones, with new powers and national investment to rebuild local health infrastructure like swimming pools and green spaces, in the most health-deprived areas. It also suggests a new ‘neighbourhood health centre’ in every part of the country as a one-stop shop for diagnostics, primary care, mental health and public health, focusing on prevention.

The report argues childhood health should be seen as key to long-term economic outcomes, just like education is considered an investment in children’s wellbeing and economic prospects. It suggests a bold ‘new beginning’ for childhood health programmes to get children’s health back on track, including universal free school meals, the restoration of Sure Start and an end to the Two Child Limit.

Dame Sally Davies, former Chief Medical Officer for England and Wales, a Co-Chair of the Commission said: “One of the most impactful choices…is to prioritise a new beginning on childhood health. No one would question that education is both about a child's immediate wellbeing and their long-term economic prospects. The same is true for health. We simply should not tolerate a decline in our children's health any longer - it is time for bold action to ensure a health inheritance for future generations.”