How this government is tackling health inequality in Blackpool
This morning, I had the privilege of welcoming the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to Blackpool Football Stadium, alongside fellow MP for Blackpool North, Lorraine Beavers, local leaders and NHS staff. It’s not every day that the country’s top health official visits our town. He came with a plan – one that I’ve been pushing hard for in Parliament. Now, we’re finally being heard.
For too long, places like Blackpool have been overlooked when it comes to healthcare. We know the facts all too well – we have the lowest life expectancy in the country. There are 300 more patients per GP in our poorest communities than in the wealthiest. Those who need the most help often end up receiving the poorest care.
That’s not just unfair – it’s a scandal. And it’s gone on for far too long. But today, the health secretary revealed that change is coming.
The government will soon publish its 10-Year Health Plan, and I can confidently say it’s a plan shaped by the real needs of people like us. It’s about turning the page – moving away from a system that only reacts when we’re already sick, to one that focuses on prevention, catching problems early, and giving every community the tools they need to live healthier lives.
Money that was previously used to plug financial holes in failing NHS systems – around £2.2 billion – is being redirected. That money is now going where it’s truly needed – into staff, medicines, new technology and better equipment, particularly in places like Blackpool, rural towns, and working-class communities that have been neglected for decades.
There’ll be tougher rules for NHS leadership too – systems that don’t stick to their financial plans won’t get bailout cash anymore. Instead, that money will be invested in the frontline, where it belongs.
The government will also review the way GP funding is handed out across the country. For the first time in a long time, working-class areas are going to get their fair share. That means more GPs, shorter waiting times and better care close to home.
Over the past few months, I’ve stood up in the House of Commons time and again to talk about the reality facing our town. I’ve raised the unacceptable waiting lists. I’ve spoken about the crisis in our coastal communities. I’ve made sure that ministers know that Blackpool has been left behind by Westminster for long enough.
It’s no coincidence that the secretary of state chose Blackpool to make this announcement. This government is repeatedly proving that it understands – when Blackpool success, Britain succeeds.
There’s still a long way to go, but when we speak up and fight for what’s right change happens.
This funding is for everyone in Blackpool who’s struggled suffered due to an overburdened NHS. I promise to keep fighting for better. Today’s announcement is just the beginning of building a healthier, better Blackpool.
