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The Health Promotion Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Addington (Liberal Democrat). It was introduced in June 2022 and is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 2 December 2022.

The bill seeks to amend the name and focus of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. It would require the amended office to publish a national plan for sport and coordinate with other government departments to implement the plan. This follows a recommendation from the House of Lords National Plan for Sport and Recreation Committee.

1. What would the bill do?

The bill has three clauses.

Clause 1 would require the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities to be re-established as the Office of Health Promotion (‘the Office’). Its role would be as an independent advisory board to the Department for Health and Social Care.

Clause 1(3) then sets out some of the duties the Office would have, as follows:

  • identify and address health disparities, focusing on those groups and areas where health inequalities have greatest effect
  • take action on the biggest preventable risk factors for ill health and premature death including tobacco, obesity and harmful use of alcohol and drugs
  • work with the NHS and local government to improve access to the services which detect and act on health risks and conditions, as early as possible
  • develop strong partnerships across government, communities, industry and employers, to act on the wider factors that contribute to people’s health, such as work, housing and education
  • drive innovation in health improvement, harnessing the best of technology, analytics, and innovations in policy and delivery, to help deliver change where it is needed most

In addition, the Office would be required to publish a national plan for sport. Clause 1(5) sets out the aims of the national plan, including:

  • directing funding for sport and recreational facilities
  • promoting participation in sport
  • developing measures to ensure sporting and recreational facilities operate as a safe and non-discriminatory environment

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