The Impact of the Economic Downturn and Policy Changes on Health Inequalities in London

The UCL Institute of Health Equity was commissioned by the London Health Inequalities Network to look at the impact of the economic downturn and the government’s welfare reforms on health inequalities in London to 2016, with a particular focus on the employment, income and housing impacts of the changes.

A report containing a literature review of the potential impacts of the changes along with a set of recommendations of what local authorities and other actors can do to mitigate any negative impacts was published on 19 June 2012.

Amongst the recommendations is one that

Specifically, local authorities should ensure they have adequate:

Advice and information services, including financial and debt relief services, housing advice and benefits advice – which are cost-effective ways to increase incomes in low-income households. It may be desirable to provide additional legal aid to households facing particular problems. Significant cuts to advice and other adult services are being made in London at a time when they are needed most. Many households are not aware of the benefit changes and local authorities should do all they can to ensure that affected households are fully informed about the changes, how they will be affected, help them to understand their best options and where to get advice if they face difficulties

Whilst the report concentrates on London, this clearly has wider resonance outside the capital and may help agencies in making the case for funding from their own local authorities and/or health services.

For a copy of the report, see The Impact of the Economic Downturn and Policy Changes on Health Inequalities in London