Last week at the Labour Party Conference I spoke at an event hosted by the Local Government Information Unit on how we can build a local public health service. I was joined by Southwark LBC leader, Cllr Peter John, who spoke about the work they are doing to tackle the stark health inequalities in Southwark, including building safe warm homes and offering free access to gyms.

For many decades, local authorities have played a vital role in promoting the health of their communities. The most enlightened built decent homes, health centres such as the famous one in Finsbury, municipal sanatoria and hospitals, lidos and recreation grounds and ensured children had a balanced diet. Yet, entrenched health inequalities persist, and we still haven’t managed to break the links between someone’s health and where they live and what they earn.