New data released by Diabetes UK reveals that one in five adults in the UK are now living with either diabetes or prediabetes, a “critical” figure requiring urgent intervention, the charity says.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and health secretary Wes Streeting, the charity is calling on the UK Government to ensure early intervention in diabetes care and the prevention of type 2 diabetes are at the heart of its long-term health plans.

Diabetes UK says there are now 4.6 million people in the UK with the condition, up from 4.4 million last year – an all-time high level. 

In addition, an estimated 6.3 million people are living with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (prediabetes). A further 1.3 million people have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, meaning more than 12 million people in the UK – or one in five adults – have either diabetes or prediabetes. 

Each year, the disease causes more than 48,000 strokes, 34,000 heart attacks and 155,000 cases of heart failure.

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Diabetes UK is calling for the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, expected in the summer, to commit to continued and increased investment in better care for all types of diabetes, including enhanced support for people newly diagnosed as well as better provision of annual diabetes health checks.

It says health officials should commit to urgently find those unaware they are living with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, to ensure they have the right support at the earliest possible opportunity. This includes improving the delivery of NHS Health Checks.

The Government should also invest in prevention support for those with prediabetes or who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Cases of type 2 diabetes in younger people have also been increasing at “alarming levels” in recent years with a 40 per cent rise in the number of people under the age of 40 years living with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes between 2016-17 and 2022-23. 

Diabetes UK estimates that, by 2035, the cost of diabetes to the NHS could be nearly £18bn if immediate action isn’t taken.