A healthier future starts with children: Our response to the spending review

We welcome the Government’s decision in this week’s Spending Review to expand free school meals to all children in families receiving Universal Credit. This is a vital investment in children’s health, wellbeing, and future, and one that recognises the foundational role of nutrition in creating a healthier society.

Access to a healthy, sustainable, and culturally appropriate meal at school each day, regardless of a child’s postcode, is a proven way to reduce health inequalities. Our recent evaluation of London’s universal free school meal policy highlighted long-term health benefits for families.

Foundations are being laid but more investment is needed

While this is a step forward, this week’s review also highlighted the urgent need for a bold, coordinated strategy to address the root causes of health inequality. Urban areas have some of the most extreme inequalities in health. At Impact on Urban Health, we want to change this.

1. Tackle child poverty

Millions of children in the UK continue to grow up in poverty, which has lifelong impacts on their health. A robust Child Poverty Strategy, backed by investment in early years services and the abolition of the two-child benefit cap, is essential if we are to increase the number of children reaching a Good Level of Development by age five.

2. Improve air quality

It’s unacceptable that millions of children are still exposed to toxic air. The Government must commit to bold national action on air pollution, like a new Clean Air Act to protect children’s health.

3. Warm homes for better health

We’re encouraged that the Chancellor has upheld the Labour Party’s manifesto commitment to invest £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan this parliament. Cold, damp housing makes people sick. Retrofitting homes reduces emissions, improves health, and supports energy security.

4. Support families facing financial hardship

Too many families are struggling with debt. We urge the Government to expand access to trusted, community-based debt advice, including social prescribing models.

A moment to build lasting change

The Spending Review offers signs of progress. But real transformation requires sustained, targeted investment in children and families. If the Government is serious about renewing Britain, improving health outcomes must be at the heart of that renewal.

At Impact on Urban Health, we stand ready to work with government, civil society, and communities to make this a reality.