Labour has accused the government of “dismantling the country’s public health system” after shocking figures revealed two thirds of councils have slashed their addiction prevention budgets this year.
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth, who will appear alongside comedian Russell Brand at a party conference event discussing addiction and mental health, said some of the most vulnerable members of society are being failed.
The Leicester MP, who is himself the child of an alcoholic, is expected to say: “These are staggering cuts to addiction and prevention services including cuts to support for children with drug and alcohol problems.
“The Tories are cynically imposing multi million pound cuts on councils and the result is reductions in essential services to prevent and treat addiction.
“It’s yet another example of how this Tory government is dismantling the country’s public health system. The long-term effect will be growing addiction problems in society and increases the long term costs for the health services.
“The government are yet again failing some of the most vulnerable in society.”
Brand, who endorsed Jeremy Corbyn as the next prime minister during the 2017 general election campaign, has spoken openly about his battle with drug addiction, which began from an early age.
Ashworth said Labour would protect public health budgets and supporting those with addiction issues would be a priority under a Labour government.
Local authorities are currently wrangling with £800 million of public health cuts imposed on them between 2015 and 2021.
Between 2015 and 2021, £800m of public health cuts are being imposed on local authorities by central government.
Labour says its analysis shows that as a result:
- 106 local authorities are reducing their drug treatment and prevention budgets this year, with a combined cut across England of £28.4m.
- 95 local authorities are reducing their alcohol treatment and prevention budgets this year, with a combined cut across England of £6.5m.
- 70 local authorities are reducing their budget for drug and alcohol services for children this year, with a combined cut across England of £8.3m.
- In total addiction services will see a combined £43.3m reduction this year.
A full list of budget cuts by local authority in England is below: