Local partners in South Lanarkshire are mobilising around a shared ambition to tackling inequalities and improving life chances for children and families.
Earlier this year, South Lanarkshire Council and Community Planning Partnership (CPP) were selected as one of only three areas in Scotland to collaborate with Public Health Scotland (PHS) and the University College London Institute of Health Equity (IHE), led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot. This partnership forms part of the Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland (CHES) initiative.
The CHES programme recognises that health inequalities are shaped by the social determinants of health – the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. In South Lanarkshire, local partners are using insights from the Marmot approach to focus on child poverty and the early years – recognising that supporting children and families early in life can make the biggest difference to their future health and wellbeing.
During a recent visit, Ms Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, met with Councillor Joe Fagan, Leader of the Council, and members of the South Lanarkshire Marmot Leadership Group, including Paul Manning, Chief Executive of the Council, and Louise Long MBE, Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, to discuss how South Lanarkshire is laying the foundations for local action through CHES, the role of Scottish Government to support this and the shared ambition to reduce health inequalities.
South Lanarkshire’s approach is rooted in collaborative leadership, community empowerment, and evidence-based planning. The Council and CPP have long prioritised child poverty, with a strong foundation of work through the local Child Poverty Action Group. NHS Lanarkshire is similarly actively embracing its role as an anchor organisation, using its influence, resources and leadership to support inclusive economic development and tackle health inequalities.
Council Leader and chair of South Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership, Joe Fagan, said: “Tackling child poverty is a top priority for South Lanarkshire Council and our Community Planning Partners. We’re proud to be working with Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Public Health Scotland and the Institute of Health Equity to deepen our understanding and strengthen our action.
“We know that every pound we spend must make a real difference—helping families earlier, preventing problems before they grow, and making sure public money delivers real value.
“But we also know we can’t do this alone. The voices of our communities and the work of third sector organisations are absolutely vital. They help us see what matters most and shape solutions that truly work for people.
“And to truly turn the tide on child poverty and give all of our children the best start in life, we also need sustained support from the Scottish Government and national partners – alongside their continued action at a Scotland-wide level.”
