The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has issued a briefing to MPs ahead of the debate today on the Queen’s Speech ‘Tackling short-term and long-term cost of living increases’.
MPs will today (17 May 2022) debate the proposals set out in the Queen’s Speech on 10 May to tackle the cost of living. New polling from the RCP reveals that over half of British people (55%) feel their health has been negatively affected by the rising cost of living.
One in four (25%) of those who said that their health had been negatively affected by the rising cost of living, had also been told that by a doctor or other medical professional.
The RCP has issued a briefing to MPs with these findings, calling for government to develop a cross-government strategy to reduce health inequalities. It also calls for the health disparities white paper to commit to cross-government action on the social determinants of health that make people unwell in the first place. The cost of living crisis is another reminder that our health is shaped by our environment.