Member

Local growth plans focus on regional economic development, which can of course also relate to, and really impact, local health issues, as noble Lords have pointed out. However, while we agree that local growth plans should be comprehensive and co-ordinated with other strategies, I really fear that this amendment at this time might make local growth plans too broad in their scope unless some cross-government work is done on this matter. I wish it were not so because, if this could be sorted, I am absolutely convinced—and have been for 20 years—that the local community’s health could be much better than it is now, particularly in those early parts of a healthy lifestyle and of stopping things such as obesity and drug or alcohol abuse. This is the opportunity for all those things that happen in communities. I will give to the Minister that job of going and talking to her opposite numbers in the health services. I am sorry for the rant on that, but I feel very strongly.