Councils in England are pleased to have at long last received their public health grant.
We have long argued that, at a time when NHS and social care pressures are greater than ever, vital sexual health, drug, alcohol and health visiting services need clarification on this funding to help cope with soaring demand.
While the allocations do include indicative figures for 2024/25, we have called for a review of the adequacy of public health funding, to support the Government’s wider aims by improving health outcomes, reducing health spending and putting the NHS on a better footing for the long term.
As a country, we face an unavoidable choice; invest more in preventative action or keep paying the social and economic consequences of not doing so.
That message was underlined at the LGA’s annual public health conference in late March, at which the LGA and the Association of Directors of Public Health warned that the rising cost of living is having significant health consequences, particularly in those communities that have higher levels of deprivation already.
Despite the best efforts of councils and their directors of public health, who have provided support such as dedicated warm hubs and access to affordable food, the LGA is concerned that current health inequalities could be widened.
Economic prosperity and health go hand in hand, but the links between the two need to be much more widely understood.
On behalf of councils, we are calling on the Government to address this challenge by making long-term increases to local public health funding, which can go to support those in communities who need it the most.