UK austerity policies led to a decline in life expectancy
Published: 3 December 2024
Research insight
The devastating impact of the UK government’s austerity measures on life expectancy is explored by University of Glasgow experts in a compelling book that calls out politicians for a ‘dereliction of public health duty’.
The devastating impact of the UK government’s austerity measures on life expectancy is explored by University of Glasgow experts in a compelling book that calls out politicians for a ‘dereliction of public health duty’.
‘Social Murder? Austerity and life expectancy in the UK’ sets out how austerity policies have led to a decline in life expectancy and widening mortality inequalities, with more people dying younger and in larger numbers since 2010.
Combining robust evidence with real-life stories, authors Dr David Walsh and Professor Gerry McCartney argue that this shocking and tragic suffering was predictable, caused by a dereliction of duty from those in power.
Former MP Alison Thewliss, who will share her insights at an event launching the book, said: "Austerity has pushed many people beyond the point of coping, causing serious distress and ill-health. There was a significant disconnect between the struggling constituents I would meet and the way in which UK Government Ministers and officials understood the policies they were pursuing. This book gives a stark insight into the real-life impacts of over a decade of austerity, and an urgency as to why these policies must change."
Dr David Walsh, Senior Lecturer in Health Inequalities, said: “Life expectancy is about more than just health - it’s about the kind of society we live in. And in the early 2010s, after decades of continual improvement, life expectancy in the UK stopped increasing, and for a great many it actually declined. This is something that simply should not be happening in a wealthy society. Yet despite hundreds of thousands of extra deaths that the evidence shows are linked to austerity policies, governments and officials remained silent.”
Professor of Wellbeing Economy, Gerry McCartney, said: “Despite the recent change of UK Government, austerity remains in place. The key policies which have created such injustice in our society have been - or look likely to be - reversed. This makes it all the more important, and all the more urgent, that the evidence outlined in the book is fully understood by those in a position to bring about change.”
Life expectancy is an important measure of the overall health of a population - and a broader measure of overall societal progress
The key components of these policies in the UK have been cuts on an unprecedented scale to the income of the poorest and most vulnerable in society (through cuts to social security); and vital public services, particularly those provided by local government such as social care, as well as a wide range of other social services that people rely on in times of need.
The experience of the UK is compared to other wealthy countries where similar policies were implemented – and which resulted in similar outcomes. This includes countries such as Germany, which has been wrongly cited as an example of where austerity policies were not introduced: in fact they were, and detrimental impacts on population health duly resulted.
The book contrasts these inadequate responses to the crisis with the responses that are urgently needed - policies that would reduce suffering, return life expectancy back to its pre-2010 trajectory, and reduce health inequalities across society.
This news story has was originally posted on the University news website.
First published: 3 December 2024