We are pleased to see a real terms increase in the grant, alongside alignment with the Local Government Finance Settlement, the bringing together of key funding streams for services and continued investment in the Swap to Stop scheme.
In response to the publication of the Local Authority Public Health Grant allocations, Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “The LGA has long called for an increase to the Public Health Grant, we are therefore pleased to see a real terms increase in the grant, alongside alignment with the Local Government Finance Settlement, the bringing together of key funding streams for services and continued investment in the Swap to Stop scheme.
"We support the introduction of proportionate assurance arrangements, including a sector-led public health peer review offer, to help councils demonstrate impact, share good practice, and continuously strengthen the effectiveness of local public health systems.
"Councils are committed to using this funding to continue delivering the local services that protect health, prevent illness, and reduce inequalities in our communities. However, while the introduction of multi-year allocation is positive and will give councils more stability in order to plan long-term public health programmes, public health services remain under significant pressure. To truly deliver on prevention and reduce demand on the NHS and social care, funding needs to keep pace with inflation and rising demand."