Ahead of the Autumn Budget 2024 on 30th October, we are calling on the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to improve diabetes prevention, research, care and support.
Over 5.6 million people are now living with diabetes in the UK, with the number of people living with type 2 diabetes having almost doubled in the last 15 years. For the first time, the number of people under 40 being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is rising at a faster rate than the over-40s.
Without the right care and support, diabetes can be a gateway to living with multiple long-term conditions.
In its election manifesto and health mission document, the government committed to reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by a quarter within ten years and halving the gap in healthy life expectancy between different regions of England.
As diabetes is a leading – and largely preventable – cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke, action to improve care and prevention of diabetes will be crucial in helping to achieve these government’s goals.
While we hope the 10-year plan for health will deliver significant reform and investment for the long-term, there is plenty the government could do now to reduce the harm from diabetes, so we are calling for the Autumn Statement to:
1. Invest in supporting people living with diabetes to stay well
Too many people living with diabetes across the UK are unable to access the routine care they need to help identify and prevent serious diabetes complications from developing.
As our research shows, serious diabetes complications are still common and they have a huge impact on people’s lives, wellbeing and ability to work, while costing the NHS far more to treat than if they were identified earlier through routine care.
The government has committed to shift the healthcare system towards earlier interventions that keep people well. Promising to focus on preventing people from developing serious illness in the first place, rather than just treating them once they are sick.
To achieve this goal, we would urge the government to ensure that investment into the NHS is directed into towards preventative programmes like the T2Day: Type 2 Diabetes in the Young programme and the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, which can help people with diabetes to manage their condition or even put it into remission.
Investment should focus on improving our long-term health and must be protected from being used to cover existing deficits in NHS spending.
2. Invest in improving public health by reversing the cuts to the public health grant
Since 2016, the grants given to local councils to fund public health programmes have been cut by 21%. This has meant that many vital community healthcare services have stopped or been reduced significantly.
If the government wants to achieve its ambition of moving healthcare services into the community and preventing ill health, it’s vital that they invest immediately with sustainable long-term funding to restore the public health grant and commit to yearly increases aligned to increases in the NHS budget.
3. Build on the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy by expanding it to cover milk-based drinks
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy, often known as the sugar tax, has already helped to improve the nation’s health and has supported children’s wellbeing through funding programmes like breakfast clubs.
But at the moment, milkshakes are exempt. As a supporter of the Recipe for Change coalition, we want the government to expand the levy to cover milk and alternative milk based drinks and review ways it could further incentivise manufacturers to make their products healthier.
4. Tackle the cost-of-living crisis for people impacted the most
As our report The Hidden Cost shows, the rising cost of living has had a big impact on people with diabetes, leading to more people developing health problems and widening existing inequalities.
We’re part of the Guarantee Our Essentials campaign, calling on the government to ensure that people have a minimum income floor to rely on by making sure social security like Universal Credit covers the cost of essentials and rises at the same rate as inflation.
5. Keep the UK’s position as a world leader in diabetes research
Due to the brilliant efforts of UK researchers and sustained strategic funding over many decades from programmes like our Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge, the UK is currently home to world leading research into the prevention, care and treatment of all types of diabetes.
The government should continue to invest in UK researchers to accelerate the development of new treatments and ultimately a cure for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
In its first budget, this government must make clear that our health and wellbeing is a priority. Investing in keeping people well is fundamental to our future, our health service and our economy, and we hope the Chancellor takes this opportunity to improve diabetes care and prevention.
