Waltham Forest has said there is ‘more to be done’ three years on from health review that lay bare stark differences in life expectancy across the borough, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

Waltham Forest Council says it is making “considerable progress” in improving public health in the borough, but it will “take time”.

It says it has worked to improve the quality of housing and tackle health inequality over the past year, in line with recommendations put forward by Sir Michael Marmot in 2010, which revealed stark differences in health outcomes across the borough.

In that review, men in every ward had a lower than average life expectancy – some by as many as seven years. A follow-up report in 2022 found that women in most affluent wards, such as Chingford, can expect to live nearly eight years longer than in the poorest wards, including Leyton and Lea Bridge.

The borough was notable for its high levels of fuel poverty, which are higher than the average across England and higher than all but two of its statistical neighbours. Fuel poverty can lead to homes becoming damp and cold, which can damage health and worsen mortality.

The average amount of rent paid in Waltham Forest increased by 10% between February 2024 and February 2025 alone, and the council says that people losing disposable income can have a “knock on” effect on their physical and mental health.

Private renters in Waltham Forest are also 35% more likely to be in fuel poverty than other households, data shows.

The council says it has reached out to those at risk of not affording heating and developed a new damp and mould strategy to deal with issues “swiftly and effectively,” while older people’s needs will be given more consideration in the planning process.

A similar ‘private rented sector strategy’ also seeks to penalise rogue landlords while offering support for ‘responsible’ landlords through various incentives.

Going forward, the council says it will organise a local ‘healthier homes’ working group to improve living conditions in the borough, while using health data to focus inspections on areas with higher need, such as those with high rates of childhood asthma.

Last September, the council found that 78% of homeless people – or those at risk of losing their homes – were private renters. Since last year, the council has offered assessments to 171 families to help them access support needed to stay in their homes.

Bolstering the job market has also been a key goal of the town hall.

Female full-time workers in Waltham Forest earned nearly £100 per week less than men on average in 2024, while black workers earned 6% less than white workers.

The council says that, in order to reduce health inequalities relating to ethnicity, there is a need to “remove barriers faced by women from global majority backgrounds to accessing good quality, well-paid work”.

The town hall has focused on south Asian women, helping 93 into employment. Over the next year, it will organise a jobs fair specifically to promote “accessible opportunities”.

The council has also pointed to the number of businesses in Waltham Forest registered as London Living Wage employers increasing from 56 to 66 over the last twelve months as a positive.

In 2024, 35% of the 28,900 people in Waltham Forest who were economically inactive were not in employment or education due to long-term sickness, the council says, compared to 21% in London.

So far, 76 people have returned to work through programmes offered by NHS North East London and the council’s drugs and alcohol services.

Elsewhere, the council funded 15 emergency food banks and pantries, and supported programmes teaching people sustainable gardening.

Over the next year, the town hall says it will support new food banks and pantries in Leyton and south Leytonstone.

Councillor Louise Mitchell, the cabinet member for adults and health, said: “In 2022 the Institute of Health Equity was commissioned by Waltham Forest Council to assess health inequalities in the borough, a process led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot. The resulting report, A Fairer and Healthier Waltham Forest, showed major improvements in recent years, but that not all communities have shared equally in that progress.

“The council responded with a dedicated action plan, focusing on three areas where we could make the biggest difference: good work, healthier homes, and greener, healthier places.

“There is still more to do, but this first year shows how taking a preventative and collaborative approach can make a real impact in reducing health inequalities. We will continue working with residents and partners to make Waltham Forest a fairer, healthier place for everyone.”

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