LGA responds to Diabetes UK warning about almost one in 10 people will have diabetes by 2030

Responding to a warning by Diabetes UK that almost one in 10 people in the UK will have diabetes by 2030, with obesity fuelling a rise in cases, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:

“Obesity and its close association with Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest public health challenges we face and these figures are a worrying wake-up call.

“Type 2 diabetes is almost entirely preventable and seriously impacts not just on the NHS, but also on social care. The growing ageing population means that the number of people with diabetes in social care is set to grow rapidly, placing extra pressures on councils’ care budgets which are already under strain.

“Councils are doing all they can to help keep people healthy throughout their lives and reduce pressure on the health service and social care. Investment in councils’ public health services now will reap benefits for everyone longer-term, including for the NHS and other public services.

“The upcoming Spending Review is an opportunity to realise this shared ambition with government, to level up the future health chances of our communities and build back better from the pandemic.”