Oldham leaders have put together a six-point plan it wants the government to act on to tackle health inequalities in the borough.

The Oldham Health and Wellbeing Board, which is made up of council officers, cross-party councillors and health professionals, said they needed to "speak on the devastating impact that poverty is having on Oldham residents".

The board has "rarely felt the need to make public statements, the last time being in 2017 when they signed an NHS statement on tobacco control, which highlights the seriousness of the situation".

But it has now put together a set of six objectives it wants the government to take action on.

Act on a levelling up promise to deliver investment for Oldham and to back local authorities and the voluntary community and social enterprise organisations are two of the aims. 

Reinstating the £20 Universal Credit uplift and to take a "cash first approach to food insecurity are another couple of its objectives.

Expanding eligibility for free school meals to include all children in households on Universal Credit, and uplift the current level of support for free school meals to take account of the significant increases in inflation, including food and energy prices is another goal.

And continuing to provide support with the cost of energy to ensure every household has the means to meet their basic needs of heating, lighting and cooking, and provide additional support to make all homes energy efficient is the sixth aim listed.

Oldham Council Leader Amanda Chadderton said: “The levels of poverty we’re seeing in some parts of Oldham is just not acceptable.

"This cost of living crisis has taken people already on the edge of poverty well into it and those already struggling to the brink of disaster.

“Not having enough money severely impacts a person’s health. It’s as simple as that.

"Life expectancy, physical health and mental health, they are all affected by just not having enough money to meet basic needs, and we’re seeing more and more people in this situation.

“Myself, members of opposition parties, the NHS and other health experts are all in agreement – we need action now.”

The report is available to view in full here ahead of a formal discussion by the board.