Day 690 of the Labour government26 May 202618.23 GMT

0 British deaths since you opened this page0 in the policy gap

Preventative health

Issue three of three. UK Parliament + devolved responsibility.

UK Parliament + devolved

James Murray, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care · day 9 in post (succeeded Wes Streeting, resigned 14 May 2026)

Issue three — the figure

53,913

preventable and treatable deaths in 2026 so far · estimated £19bn annual cost to NHS and economy.

live · ONS Avoidable Mortality 2024 · updated just now

The gap, in plain language

If the UK matched Finland's rate of 101 per 100k working-age, an estimated 45,300 of these deaths would not happen each year. Match Japan's 78, and ~65,700 would not happen.

How the UK compares

Avoidable deaths per 100k working-age

Lower is better. Source: OECD Health Statistics 2024.

OECD high-income

Japan78

Switzerland84

Australia92

Finland101

Netherlands105

United Kingdom152

United States194

Methodology

Age-standardised avoidable mortality rate per 100,000 population aged under 75. Combines preventable and treatable causes. Source: OECD Health Statistics 2024.

↓ hover for methodology

What has been solved elsewhere

Finland — the North Karelia Project

case study

The North Karelia Project (1972 onwards) demonstrated that population-wide prevention works. Cardiovascular mortality reduced over 80% since 1970s; overall avoidable mortality halved.

Policy pillars

· Population-wide screening for risk factors (cholesterol, blood pressure)
· National salt-reduction policy with mandatory food labelling
· Comprehensive smoking cessation infrastructure
· Strong primary care with named GP per patient
· Annual health checks free at point of use

Outcomes

280 → 101

avoidable mortality per 100k fell from ~280 in 1980 to 101 today.

Cardiovascular deaths

−80%

since the project began.

What the UK would need to do

Restore public health budgets to 2015 levels (~£1.5bn annual increase). Establish a statutory national prevention strategy with ring-fenced funding. Roll out population-wide screening for cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Estimated cost over a parliament: £8–12 billion. Estimated cumulative British lives saved over 25 years: ~330,000.

↓ hover for the full case

Labour's prior statements

What Labour promised — 8 commitments

Tier 1 · governing party

“From sickness to prevention — one of three big shifts in our 10-year plan for the NHS.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
IN PROGRESS
10-year plan published July 2025; prevention shift not yet operationalised.
“We will ban junk food advertising targeted at children.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
PARTIALLY DELIVERED
Came into force 5 January 2026, with brand advertising exemption loophole.
“Ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
IN PROGRESS
“Recruit 1,000 more GPs.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
DELIVERED
NHS England Sept 2025: 1,897 WTE added since July 2024. Headline pledge met; methodology disputed.
“Dentistry Rescue Plan — 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and reform to the dental contract.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
IN PROGRESS
“Halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the areas of highest and lowest deprivation.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
NOT DELIVERED
No measurable progress on gap closure to date.
“Opt-out smoking cessation interventions integrated into routine NHS care.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
IN PROGRESS
“Tobacco and Vapes Bill — create the first smoke-free generation.”
— Labour Manifesto 2024
DELIVERED
Royal Assent 29 April 2026. Cross-party origin (Sunak 2023).

Notable absences

· No commitment to ring-fenced prevention budget within NHS spending.
· No specific commitment on alcohol harm — a major preventable mortality cause.
· No statutory targets for reducing avoidable mortality rates.
· No commitment on tackling obesity in adults (only children).

The standing record for this issue

Days in office

688

since 5 July 2024.

Days since this minister appointed

James Murray succeeded Wes Streeting on 14 May 2026.

Promise-to-delivery

2 / 8

of 8 tracked commitments delivered. 1 partial, 4 in progress, 1 not delivered.

Write about this →

Your move — write to your MP

1,247 letters sent this week · 23 MPs have responded

Write to your MP.

A letter to your MP on any of the three counts, pre-filled with the evidence above. Anonymous by default — your name is never published.

Letter preview · updates as you choose an issue

Dear your MP,

I am writing about the 52,876 preventable British deaths so far in 2026 — and the 135,000 that will happen by year end. The UK rate is 50% above Finland's.

Labour's 2024 manifesto pledged a shift "from sickness to prevention" as one of three big shifts in the NHS 10-year plan. 688 days in, that shift has not been operationalised. There is no ring-fenced prevention budget. No statutory targets for reducing avoidable mortality.

I am asking you to press the new Health Secretary, James Murray, to publish a national prevention strategy with ring-fenced funding within 100 days.

Yours sincerely,
[your name]

Drafting your statement

Dear your MP, I am writing about the 52,876 preventable British deaths so far in 2026 — and the 135,000 that will happen by year end. The UK rate is 50% above Finland's. Labour's 2024 manifesto pledged a shift "from sickness to prevention" as one of three big shifts in the NHS 10-year plan. 688 days in, that shift has not been operationalised. There is no ring-fenced prevention budget. No statutory targets for reducing avoidable mortality. I am asking you to press the new Health Secretary, James Murray, to publish a national prevention strategy with ring-fenced funding within 100 days. Yours sincerely, [your name]

Routing to

Your MP for —