Alexis Darby
@alexisdarby.bsky.social
Head of Public Affairs at the Northern Health Science Alliance and Health Equity North. Secretariat for the Child of the North APPG
www.thenhsa.co.uk
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk
Views my own
www.thenhsa.co.uk
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk
Views my own
Since 2022, we’ve been making the case to scrap the two-child limit. Read about our advocacy and why it’s vital Government ends this policy in the upcoming Budget. www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/blog-lifting...
The two-child limit remains the single biggest driver of child poverty in the UK today.
Read about the work Health Equity North has been doing to highlight to policymakers the impact of this limit in @alexisdarby.bsky.social's recent blog post.
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/blog-lifting...
Read about the work Health Equity North has been doing to highlight to policymakers the impact of this limit in @alexisdarby.bsky.social's recent blog post.
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/blog-lifting...
October 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Since 2022, we’ve been making the case to scrap the two-child limit. Read about our advocacy and why it’s vital Government ends this policy in the upcoming Budget. www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/blog-lifting...
Reposted by Alexis Darby
@northumbriauni.bsky.social is the newest member of now 20 research-intensive institutions of the Northern Health Science Alliance.
They will play an active role in shaping and contributing to the NHSA’s 15 pan-northern programmes and expert networks.
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/10/nort...
They will play an active role in shaping and contributing to the NHSA’s 15 pan-northern programmes and expert networks.
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/10/nort...
October 27, 2025 at 10:39 AM
@northumbriauni.bsky.social is the newest member of now 20 research-intensive institutions of the Northern Health Science Alliance.
They will play an active role in shaping and contributing to the NHSA’s 15 pan-northern programmes and expert networks.
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/10/nort...
They will play an active role in shaping and contributing to the NHSA’s 15 pan-northern programmes and expert networks.
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/10/nort...
Reposted by Alexis Darby
We heard from @mayorofgm.bsky.social, Lord David Willetts, President of @resfoundation.bsky.social, @josephtiman.bsky.social, Victoria Braddock from Marketing Manchester, and Professor @andywestwood.bsky.social at Policy@Manchester's panel event on how devolution can continue to benefit our regions.
October 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
We heard from @mayorofgm.bsky.social, Lord David Willetts, President of @resfoundation.bsky.social, @josephtiman.bsky.social, Victoria Braddock from Marketing Manchester, and Professor @andywestwood.bsky.social at Policy@Manchester's panel event on how devolution can continue to benefit our regions.
Women in our region face lower healthy life expectancy, worse mental health and £132m is lost in wages every week.
Hear from Kirith Entwhistle MP, Dame Lesley Regan and Proffesor Louise Kenny on how we can build a better future for nothern women.
Register - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-a...
Hear from Kirith Entwhistle MP, Dame Lesley Regan and Proffesor Louise Kenny on how we can build a better future for nothern women.
Register - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-a...
Hear from an expert panel at our #LabourPartyConference event ‘Building a Better Future for Northern Women’, which includes: @hannahdavies.bsky.social, @kirithentwistle.bsky.social, Professor Dame Lesley Regan, and Professor @louiseckenny.bsky.social.
Join us: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-a...
Join us: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-a...
September 24, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Women in our region face lower healthy life expectancy, worse mental health and £132m is lost in wages every week.
Hear from Kirith Entwhistle MP, Dame Lesley Regan and Proffesor Louise Kenny on how we can build a better future for nothern women.
Register - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-a...
Hear from Kirith Entwhistle MP, Dame Lesley Regan and Proffesor Louise Kenny on how we can build a better future for nothern women.
Register - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-a...
Reposted by Alexis Darby
Our #WomanOfTheNorth report found women living in the North have lower healthy life expectancy, worse mental health, & more likely to suffer domestic violence. Our panel event at @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Conference will examine findings & recommendations
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/labour-party...
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/labour-party...
August 29, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Our #WomanOfTheNorth report found women living in the North have lower healthy life expectancy, worse mental health, & more likely to suffer domestic violence. Our panel event at @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Conference will examine findings & recommendations
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/labour-party...
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/labour-party...
Reposted by Alexis Darby
THREAD
Families living in areas of higher poverty - such as the North of England - are less likely to have access to healthy, affordable food and more likely to have children who live with obesity.
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/northern-chi... 1/7
Families living in areas of higher poverty - such as the North of England - are less likely to have access to healthy, affordable food and more likely to have children who live with obesity.
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/northern-chi... 1/7
July 8, 2025 at 8:34 AM
THREAD
Families living in areas of higher poverty - such as the North of England - are less likely to have access to healthy, affordable food and more likely to have children who live with obesity.
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/northern-chi... 1/7
Families living in areas of higher poverty - such as the North of England - are less likely to have access to healthy, affordable food and more likely to have children who live with obesity.
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/northern-chi... 1/7
Great fun at #WomensHealthGM today with @janemcdermott.bsky.social and @evefrancisholt.bsky.social discussing the GMCA's plans for women's health and @healthequitynorth.bsky.social Woman of the North report.
Our Head of Public Affairs @alexisdarby.bsky.social
spoke on a @manchester.ac.uk panel today about Women's Health in Greater Manchester, talking about our #WomanOfTheNorth report findings.
#WomensHealthGM
spoke on a @manchester.ac.uk panel today about Women's Health in Greater Manchester, talking about our #WomanOfTheNorth report findings.
#WomensHealthGM
July 3, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Great fun at #WomensHealthGM today with @janemcdermott.bsky.social and @evefrancisholt.bsky.social discussing the GMCA's plans for women's health and @healthequitynorth.bsky.social Woman of the North report.
Reposted by Alexis Darby
I attended the launch of the Ageing in the North report, highlighting inequalities older people in the North face compared to the South. Great to meet my constituents Jane McDermott, Elaine Unegbu and Alexis Darby, who contributed to this important work.
June 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I attended the launch of the Ageing in the North report, highlighting inequalities older people in the North face compared to the South. Great to meet my constituents Jane McDermott, Elaine Unegbu and Alexis Darby, who contributed to this important work.
Todays @theguardian.com Prof Kate Pickett from @healthequitynorth.bsky.social says UK faces “worse health more inequality, and growing north south divide.” Welcomes Wes Streeting’s focus on deprived areas but urges govt to scrap welfarecuts and boost health in poorer communities. shorturl.at/PUAfi
Poorest parts of England to get £2.2bn more for NHS to cut care inequalities
Deprived and coastal areas to get extra cash this year for staff and resources in effort to improve health outcomes
shorturl.at
June 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Todays @theguardian.com Prof Kate Pickett from @healthequitynorth.bsky.social says UK faces “worse health more inequality, and growing north south divide.” Welcomes Wes Streeting’s focus on deprived areas but urges govt to scrap welfarecuts and boost health in poorer communities. shorturl.at/PUAfi
Yesterday we launched our Ageing in the North report in Parliament. It shows older people in the North are more likely to be poorer, sicker, inactive and in poor housing, costing the NHS billions.
Great to have @annadixonmp.bsky.social at the event and front page of the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
Great to have @annadixonmp.bsky.social at the event and front page of the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
June 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Yesterday we launched our Ageing in the North report in Parliament. It shows older people in the North are more likely to be poorer, sicker, inactive and in poor housing, costing the NHS billions.
Great to have @annadixonmp.bsky.social at the event and front page of the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
Great to have @annadixonmp.bsky.social at the event and front page of the @yorkshirepost.co.uk
Reposted by Alexis Darby
MP for Shipley @annadixonmp.bsky.social is delivering the keynote speech out our Ageing in the North report Parliamentary launch, touching on the disparities that older people face in the North of England compared to their southern counterparts
June 23, 2025 at 12:29 PM
MP for Shipley @annadixonmp.bsky.social is delivering the keynote speech out our Ageing in the North report Parliamentary launch, touching on the disparities that older people face in the North of England compared to their southern counterparts
Reposted by Alexis Darby
THREAD: Older people in the North of England are more likely to be poorer, less healthy, physically inactive, lonely & in poor housing - resulting in billions of pounds of avoidable NHS costs, according to our #AgeingintheNorth report released today
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/olde... 1/15
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/olde... 1/15
Older northerners struggle with “alarming” inequalities compared to people from the South - The NHSA
Click here to download the Ageing in the North report Older people in the North of England are more likely to be poorer, less healthy, physically inactive, lonely and in poor housing – resulting in mi...
www.thenhsa.co.uk
June 23, 2025 at 7:26 AM
THREAD: Older people in the North of England are more likely to be poorer, less healthy, physically inactive, lonely & in poor housing - resulting in billions of pounds of avoidable NHS costs, according to our #AgeingintheNorth report released today
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/olde... 1/15
www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/olde... 1/15
Reposted by Alexis Darby
Following today's Spending Review from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, our Chief Executive @hannahdavies.bsky.social has commented on the announcement, which includes R&D funding rising to a record high of £22bn per year.
Read Hannah's full comment: www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/6277/
Read Hannah's full comment: www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/6277/
June 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Following today's Spending Review from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, our Chief Executive @hannahdavies.bsky.social has commented on the announcement, which includes R&D funding rising to a record high of £22bn per year.
Read Hannah's full comment: www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/6277/
Read Hannah's full comment: www.thenhsa.co.uk/2025/06/6277/
Reposted by Alexis Darby
THREAD
We welcome the Government’s decision to expand free school meals, a vital step we called for in our Child of the North report and the Cost of Living report.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We welcome the Government’s decision to expand free school meals, a vital step we called for in our Child of the North report and the Cost of Living report.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Free school meal rule change to make 500,000 more pupils eligible
Charities broadly welcome the plans, saying they hope it is a sign of more to come.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 5, 2025 at 9:58 AM
THREAD
We welcome the Government’s decision to expand free school meals, a vital step we called for in our Child of the North report and the Cost of Living report.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We welcome the Government’s decision to expand free school meals, a vital step we called for in our Child of the North report and the Cost of Living report.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We are calling on government to:
• Reform funding so it's transparent and cover real costs
• Prioritise access for families with extra needs
• Invest in early years as childcare is vital for future outcomes
• Boost workforce pay and conditions to end staff shortages
• Reform funding so it's transparent and cover real costs
• Prioritise access for families with extra needs
• Invest in early years as childcare is vital for future outcomes
• Boost workforce pay and conditions to end staff shortages
THREAD: The lack of suitable childcare options is inflicting huge financial and emotional strain on some of the country’s most vulnerable families, according to a report by Health Equity North, @newcastleuni.bsky.social & @officialuom.bsky.social 1/9
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/emotional-an...
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/emotional-an...
Emotional and financial impact of childcare gap laid bare in North East research - Health Equity North
Read the report here The lack of suitable childcare options is inflicting huge financial and emotional strain on some of the country’s most vulnerable families, according to research released today (T...
www.healthequitynorth.co.uk
June 5, 2025 at 9:07 AM
We are calling on government to:
• Reform funding so it's transparent and cover real costs
• Prioritise access for families with extra needs
• Invest in early years as childcare is vital for future outcomes
• Boost workforce pay and conditions to end staff shortages
• Reform funding so it's transparent and cover real costs
• Prioritise access for families with extra needs
• Invest in early years as childcare is vital for future outcomes
• Boost workforce pay and conditions to end staff shortages
@georgiagould.bsky.social says public services are siloed and focus too little on prevention. We need a community-led approach designed with people. Policy needs to start on the ground, not in the centre. #strongerthings
June 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
@georgiagould.bsky.social says public services are siloed and focus too little on prevention. We need a community-led approach designed with people. Policy needs to start on the ground, not in the centre. #strongerthings
Looking forward to a big day @wearenewlocal.bsky.social
Stronger Things conference. All about reimagining public services for the better and unlocking the potential of places. #StrongerThings2025
Stronger Things conference. All about reimagining public services for the better and unlocking the potential of places. #StrongerThings2025
June 3, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Looking forward to a big day @wearenewlocal.bsky.social
Stronger Things conference. All about reimagining public services for the better and unlocking the potential of places. #StrongerThings2025
Stronger Things conference. All about reimagining public services for the better and unlocking the potential of places. #StrongerThings2025
Reposted by Alexis Darby
Thank you to @stephspyro.bsky.social of the The Daily Express for publishing an opinion column from our Academic Co-Director @profkepickett.bsky.social today about the why the two child benefit cap should be scrapped www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
'Child benefit cap must be scrapped – Labour can't afford not to'
Child poverty is running rampant across Britain.
www.express.co.uk
June 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Thank you to @stephspyro.bsky.social of the The Daily Express for publishing an opinion column from our Academic Co-Director @profkepickett.bsky.social today about the why the two child benefit cap should be scrapped www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Alexis Darby
Our Executive Director @hannahdavies.bsky.social last week shared our research around inequalities at various panel events with leaders, partners, health champions and policymakers – read Hannah’s blog to find out more
Last week, our CEO, @hannahdavies.bsky.social attended #UKREiiF, which turned a much-needed spotlight on “The Great North” - with Hannah and the NHSA being a key part of the conversation.
Read Hannah’s blog about her participation at the event at www.thenhsa.co.uk/blog/the-nor...
Read Hannah’s blog about her participation at the event at www.thenhsa.co.uk/blog/the-nor...
May 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Our Executive Director @hannahdavies.bsky.social last week shared our research around inequalities at various panel events with leaders, partners, health champions and policymakers – read Hannah’s blog to find out more
@healthequitynorth.bsky.social new report shows - stark decline in healthier amenities. Takeaway shops up by 24% across England, number of banks and building societies decreased by 40%, and supermarkets by 10% and three times as many vape shops in deprived areas.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Number of vape shops in England rises by almost 1,200% in a decade
Research also shows deprived areas have up to 25 times as many bookmakers and pawnbrokers as affluent high streets
www.theguardian.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:39 AM
@healthequitynorth.bsky.social new report shows - stark decline in healthier amenities. Takeaway shops up by 24% across England, number of banks and building societies decreased by 40%, and supermarkets by 10% and three times as many vape shops in deprived areas.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Coverage of @healthequitynorth.bsky.social new report - examining the decline in “third places”, including cafes, pubs, social clubs and community centres. All of which "lead to more vibrant and safer communities, which in turn has a positive effect on people’s health and wellbeing."
Parts of the country are becoming “ghost towns”, with banks, libraries, pharmacies and public toilets replaced by vape shops, bookies and takeaways, a hard-hitting report has revealed.
Vape shops surge 1,200% as Britain's high streets become 'ghost towns'
www.mirror.co.uk
May 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Coverage of @healthequitynorth.bsky.social new report - examining the decline in “third places”, including cafes, pubs, social clubs and community centres. All of which "lead to more vibrant and safer communities, which in turn has a positive effect on people’s health and wellbeing."
Reposted by Alexis Darby
Our research on the effects that PIP changes could have on local economies, written by authors @nataliecbennett.bsky.social @profbambra.bsky.social & @lukemunford.bsky.social, was featured on the @itvpeston.bsky.social programme last night - you can watch the episode on catch up
Join ITV’s Flagship Politics show
Tonight Robert Peston and Anushka Asthana will be joined by:
🌹 Gordon Brown
🇪🇺 Pedro Serrano
💼 Sir Charlie Mayfield
🏴 Stephen Flynn
🔵 Gillian Keegan
#Peston
youtube.com/live/_sOdZhH...
Tonight Robert Peston and Anushka Asthana will be joined by:
🌹 Gordon Brown
🇪🇺 Pedro Serrano
💼 Sir Charlie Mayfield
🏴 Stephen Flynn
🔵 Gillian Keegan
#Peston
youtube.com/live/_sOdZhH...
PESTON LIVE - 21/05/2025
YouTube video by Peston
youtube.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Our research on the effects that PIP changes could have on local economies, written by authors @nataliecbennett.bsky.social @profbambra.bsky.social & @lukemunford.bsky.social, was featured on the @itvpeston.bsky.social programme last night - you can watch the episode on catch up
Reposted by Alexis Darby
Delighted that @marykfoymp.bsky.social highlighted our recent PIP analysis during today’s DWP debate in Parliament. She drew attention to the significant local impact of PIP reforms, noting that the City of Durham stands to lose - a staggering £13 million annually from its local economy.
May 12, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Delighted that @marykfoymp.bsky.social highlighted our recent PIP analysis during today’s DWP debate in Parliament. She drew attention to the significant local impact of PIP reforms, noting that the City of Durham stands to lose - a staggering £13 million annually from its local economy.
Reposted by Alexis Darby
"We won't stand for this unacceptable status quo" @hannahdavies.bsky.social has written an opinion piece for @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social about our findings that show women in the North of England are living shorter lives in worse health
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/gArP36yKA9uA...
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/gArP36yKA9uA...
May 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
"We won't stand for this unacceptable status quo" @hannahdavies.bsky.social has written an opinion piece for @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social about our findings that show women in the North of England are living shorter lives in worse health
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/gArP36yKA9uA...
newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/gArP36yKA9uA...
Reposted by Alexis Darby
It's a damning indictment of modern Britain that girls born in the North of England can expect to live shorter lives than those born elsewhere.
But through devolution and strong female representation, we’re determined to improve the lives of women and girls.
@healthequitynorth.bsky.social
But through devolution and strong female representation, we’re determined to improve the lives of women and girls.
@healthequitynorth.bsky.social
May 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
It's a damning indictment of modern Britain that girls born in the North of England can expect to live shorter lives than those born elsewhere.
But through devolution and strong female representation, we’re determined to improve the lives of women and girls.
@healthequitynorth.bsky.social
But through devolution and strong female representation, we’re determined to improve the lives of women and girls.
@healthequitynorth.bsky.social