Jeremy Corbyn to say there is ‘mounting evidence austerity is killing people’
Labour leader’s remarks will be in a speech marking 70th anniversary of the creation of the NHS
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Corbyn is set to claim there is mounting evidence austerity and inequality are “killing people”, in a speech marking the 70th anniversary of the creation of the NHS.
Pledging to “declare war” on health inequality, the Labour leader will also promise to increase funding for the overstretched health service and launch a “national mission” to confront causes of ill health and deprivation.
It comes after Mr Corbyn joined thousands marching through London on Saturday, demonstrating against “deliberate” underfunding of services, nurses and health staff that has “pushed our NHS to the brink”.
Speaking in the Welsh town of Tredegar – the birthplace of the NHS founder Nye Bevan – on Sunday, Mr Corbyn will say: “Labour will declare war on health inequality, both within communities and across our regions and nations.
“As a country, we cannot tolerate a situation where one citizen or one community is denied the chance of life and health of another. That can and must change.”
His remarks follow Theresa May’s announcement last month that the NHS in England will receive an extra £20bn a year by 2023 as a “birthday present”. The prime minister is yet to outline the source of the funding.
While the increase in cash means an average rise of 3.4 per cent a year on the £114bn budget it still falls short of the 3.7 per cent increases the NHS has previously received.
On Sunday, Mr Corbyn will add: “There is clear and mounting evidence that austerity and inequality are killing people.
“For years people were living longer and life expectancy was increasing. That has now ground to a halt and in some parts of the country life expectancy is falling. This is unprecedented.”
“Men in the most deprived parts of England today will have nearly 20 fewer years of their lives in good health.
“And this isn't about rich London and the southeast versus the rest of Britain. There is massive inequality in even the wealthiest parts of our country.”
Mr Corbyn will say that a Labour government will take action across government to “halt the fall in life expectancy”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments