PLANS to change the way community healthcare is funded could deepen divides in health and wealth, say critics.

The Government insists the NHS is one of its top priorities, and has pledged to protect it from the funding cuts aimed at reducing the national debt.

But opposition politicians claim some of the country’s wealthiest areas are getting millions of pounds more in funding, while health authorities in poorer parts of the country get minimal increases.

For example, NHS North East Essex will get an extra £3.7million in Government funding while its counterparts in mid-Essex will get £12.1million and south-east Essex, £7.5million.

The Government says the move will balance out generous payments offered by Labour governments in previous years.

NHS North East Essex was awarded an extra 5 per cent in funding this year – the second highest increase in the country – to account for the area’s burgeoning population.

But the Labour Party, which released the figures, claims it is a ploy by the Tory-led coalition to shift cash to core areas of Conservative support.

Under the plans, Surrey will receive an extra 4.2 per cent of its budget at £61.4million, while Kensington and Chelsea will get an extra 3.2 per cent, at £11.1million, and Hampshire, an extra 2.9 per cent, which works out at £52million. Meanwhile, Manchester is set to lose £41.7million and Tower Hamlets will be hit with a £18.7million cut.

Julie Young, Labour Colchester and Essex County councillor, said: “I think it sends all the wrong messages when there are such gaps in life expectancy.

“We are the biggest borough, with a growing population, Jaywick is one of the most deprived wards in the country – it can’t be right that we receive less than other, more affluent, parts of Essex.

“If the directive is to stop putting money towards tackling health inequalities, then it’s a principle I strongly oppose. It has to be based on need and the poorest areas need more than the richest areas.”

In Jaywick and Clacton’s Pier ward – two of the poorest wards in the country – male life expectancy is below 74 years of age. A few miles away in Frinton, male life expectancy is at 81 years.

Official figures released earlier this year revealed Clacton had the unhealthiest town centre in Essex with a high number of people with mental health problems and heart disease.

However, residents in rural areas, including Dedham polled the lowest levels of social deprivation in England and the highest life expectancy in the district. Men in these areas can expect to reach their 80th birthday, while women can expect to live to 84.

Bernard Jenkin, Conservative MP for said: “North Essex has been short-changed and to some extent, that was rectified last year, but there is more to go and I’m pleased to say we are getting another increase.

“I will always be mindful that coastal areas have special problems, not least an ageing population, and to some extent, the health deprivation measurements were reflected in previous Government’s funding.

“Having said that, we know the Labour Party deliberately skewed spending towards their own areas with the argument that somebody having a liver transplant in a poor borough required more funds than someone from a Conservative area – that was rubbish.”