LABOUR WELCOMES PUBLIC HEALTH ASPIRATIONS FOR KENT

At today's full Council meeting of Kent County Council, Kent Labour backed the Public Health Strategy for Kent and welcomed the aspirations behind it. However, Kent Labour raised a number of concerns about the limitations of the Strategy.

Derek Smyth, Labour Shadow Deputy Leader of Kent County Council, says:

"Throughout this document there is little or no recognition of the key role played by decent housing and affordable homes for good health. The Conservatives like to pretend that Kent has enough houses already but without a decent and affordable home, health suffers and we pay the price in ill-health and higher health spending."

The important role of education in tackling health inequalities was recognised by councillors of all political parties.

Mike Eddy, Labour Shadow Leader of Kent County Council, says:

"A key to good health is education and Kent's schools are essential partners. Everyone must regret that the Children's Trust, which is intended to bring health and education together and at the core of the Health Strategy, is being developed without full democratic oversight and that will undermine the Strategy."

The role of alcohol and drug abuse in ill-health was identified as a major issue by some speakers.

Mark Fittock, Labour Shadow Cabinet Member for Health, says:

"The County Council can have great influence in combating drug and alcohol misuse which is behind not only ill-health but also behind a lot of violence which leads to injury and misery for others."