ADD2850 Health Inequalities Strategy Implementation Plan

1.1.    Reducing Inequalities is one of 14 delivery plans being led by the Mayor. The core London-level outcomes to which this programme will contribute are: 

•    Londoners are treated fairly and with dignity
•    Londoners can have a say in the running of the city
•    Londoners’ incomes meet their everyday needs
•    Londoners get on with and support each other
•    Londoners have access to a health and care system that supports them when they need it
•    Londoners live in a city that supports their mental and physical health. 

The delivery plan describes how the GLA will play its part to reduce inequalities through system leadership, leading by example, and making direct interventions to address inequality.

1.2.    Development of the London Health Improvement Plan (LHIP) is under way. This is a strategic, insight-driven plan that will underpin the work of a new London Health Improvement Board (LHIB). The LHIP will set out a small number of high-impact, measurable, London-wide priorities to improve health outcomes, with a particular focus on achieving equitable improvements across different groups, helping people to live more independent, healthier lives for longer.

1.3.    These priorities will: 

•    require pan-London or cross-system action
•    align with national and local strategies
•    complement existing work at borough and Integrated Care Board (ICB) levels
•    be evidence-based and data-driven
•    be achievable within existing resources to help Londoners live healthier, more independent lives for longer. 

At the first LHIB meeting, scheduled for 1 July 2026, a draft of the LHIP will be discussed.

1.4.    The LHIP has been jointly commissioned by the Mayor of London, the NHS and London Councils. The commission requires focus on a small number of high-impact, measurable and deliverable London-wide priorities that:

 
•    require pan-London leadership or cross-system action 
•    improve health, and address health inequalities 
•    complement, not duplicate, ICB or borough activity 
•    reflect both London and national strategic direction 
•    are evidence based and data-driven 
•    can be delivered within existing resources.

1.5.    In 2018 the Mayor (through Mayoral Decision (MD) 2344) approved the HIS (2018-28), which outlined how he and his partners would work to tackle health inequalities.

1.6.    The HIS Implementation Plan (HIS IP) (2025-28) sets out the Mayor’s priority actions, using a health inequalities lens across wider policy areas. It focuses on improving child wellbeing; protecting mental health; tackling structural racism and inequality; addressing housing insecurity; and helping Londoners live healthier, longer lives.

1.7.    The HIS IP Public Progress Report is due to be published in November 2026. This is the first opportunity since June 2025 (when the HIS IP 2025-28 was published) to update stakeholders and Londoners on Mayoral-led health inequalities activity. The Progress Report should demonstrate the actions that the Mayor is taking to address health inequalities in London; and the progress that’s being made to improve Londoners’ health and wellbeing. It should raise awareness of the work the Mayor is doing among partners, and among Londoners. It should show that the HIS is not just being delivered internally, but is also focused on partnership working: building trust, improving coordination across London, and communicating a clear message about health inequalities.    
 

2.1.    The LHIP is being developed as a strategic, insight-led framework to guide the new LHIB. The HIS IP Public Progress Report is scheduled to be published in November 2026. The approval of the budget contained within this Assistant Director Decision (ADD) will enable the following:

•    LHIP – supporting the design and development and launch: Creative design will enhance the LHIP publication, making it more engaging, professional and easier to disseminate. It will also help to make it resonate with stakeholders. 
•    HIS IP Public Progress Report – Design work: The objective is to produce an accessible report on delivery against the HIS IP, using design to make data understandable; and to highlight progress, early impact and key messages. 
 

3.1.    The LHIP and HIS IP Reports described in this ADD will be designed with GLA equality considerations in mind. They will use inclusive language, accessible design, and diverse representation to ensure they are usable by people of all ages, backgrounds and protected characteristics. Data will be disaggregated where possible to make inequalities visible; and alternative formats will be considered upon request. This work is expected to particularly benefit groups who experience disproportionately poorer health outcomes and barriers to access, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities; disabled people; older people; younger people; women; LGBTQ+ individuals; and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key risks and issues: 

4.1.    The key risk and mitigation is shown in the table below:

Delivery plans

4.2.    The work described in this ADD sits within the Reducing Inequalities programme (see MD3391 – Delivery Plan – Reducing Inequalities).

Conflicts of interest

4.3.    There are no conflicts of interest to declare from any officer involved in the drafting or clearance of this ADD.

Procurement

4.4.     Procurement will be a free and fair process led by the Health and Wellbeing Team. Three artists will provide quotes for the LHIP commission; they will be assessed on their portfolios and price.

 

5.1.     Approval is sought for the expenditure of up to £20,000 in 2026-27 financial year to support the publication of the London Health Improvement Plan Report and the Health Inequalities Strategy Implementation Plan Public Progress Report.

5.2.    The cost breakdown is: 

•    up to £5,000 to support the design and development of the LHIP Report
•    up to £10,000 to support the launch of the LHIP Report
•    up to £5,000 on design work for the HIS IP Public Progress Report.

5.3.    This proposed spending is financed by GLA resources as agreed in the budget for this financial year 2026-27. It will be financed from the Health Inequalities Strategy Implementation programme budget.
 

6.1.    The next steps are outlined below: