Our public services have been systematically weakened over decades, leaving the NHS, police and fire services struggling to cope with rising demand and the effects of austerity. Funding alone won’t fix this. We need to stop the creeping privatisation of essential services and deal with the underlying pressures driving costs ever higher.
That means tackling today’s major health crises – whether linked to air quality, lifestyle, or mental health – through stronger public health measures and prevention strategies. It also means treating issues like serious youth violence and drugs as public health challenges, rooted in wider socioeconomic conditions, not just policing numbers.
The aim is clear: a publicly funded, publicly run health service free at the point of use, expanded to cover areas like mental health, dentistry and prescriptions, supported by emergency services strong enough to protect our communities. Investing in prevention and public provision creates a healthier, safer society that more than pays for itself.