Responding to the King’s Speech, Dame Jennifer Dixon, CEO of the Health Foundation, emphasises that getting the NHS back on its feet will need “long-term investment and reform”
“Securing economic growth will be a fundamental mission,” King Charles III stated in his address to both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, July 17.
The 2024 King’s Speech marked the opening of the first session of the new parliament since the general election.
“My Government will seek a new partnership with both business and working people and help the country move on from the recent cost of living challenges by prioritising wealth creation for all communities,” the King said.
However, the Health Foundation, an independent charitable organisation, has emphasised the importance of improving the nation’s health to achieve economic growth.
In response to the King’s Speech, Dame Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, said: “Economic growth and national renewal are at the centre of today’s King’s Speech, but those aims can only be achieved by building a healthier UK.”
"Without good health, there will be no wealth," she added, emphasising that a cross-government approach to improving the nation’s health must be central to government policy to achieve its goals.
Jennifer welcomed the proposed legislation to restrict smoking and limit advertising and availability of harmful products to children, calling these “significant steps forward.”
“We hope this signals a much bolder approach to improving public health,” she said.
Jennifer also highlighted the importance of addressing the wider social and environmental factors that influence people’s health. Therefore, she welcomed the new government's commitment to introducing legislation to increase the provision of high-quality homes, improve the rights of renters and strengthen employment rights.
The King also announced that his government will improve the National Health Service (NHS) as a service for all.
“It will seek to reduce the waiting times, focus on prevention and improve mental health provision for young people,” he said.
However, Jennifer emphasised that getting the NHS back on its feet will need “long-term investment and reform.”
“We welcome the commitment to tackling long waits for care and the focus on prevention. There are no quick fixes, but the NHS can recover with the right blend of policy change, innovation and investment.”
The charity also welcomed the long-overdue reform of the Mental Health Act.
The King stated that mental health would be given the same attention and focus as physical health. He confirmed the Mental Health Bill, which aims to modernise the Mental Health Act to ensure it is suitable for the twenty-first century.
The Labour government is also committed to introducing a Tobacco and Vapes Bill to “progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes.”
Jennifer reiterated: “A thriving economy can only be built on the foundations of a healthy population, renewed focus on tackling health inequalities and a strong health service.”
