Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, has welcomed a multi-year funding settlement for the Public Health Grant but warned it must keep pace with inflation and rising demand to deliver on prevention and reduce pressure on health and social care.
The first multi-year provisional local government finance settlement in a decade, running from 2026-27 to 2028-29, provides £13.45bn for the Public Health Grant over the next three years.
Cllr Taylor said: ‘We are pleased to see the grant bring together key funding streams for services including drug and alcohol treatment and recovery, support for rough sleepers; local stop smoking services; Individual Placement and Support, helping people with severe mental illness into work; and continued investment in the Swap to Stop scheme.
‘We urge the Government to provide maximum flexibility within the public health ringfence, so councils can respond to local priorities and tailor services to the needs of their communities. Local leaders understand what works in their areas, and flexibility is essential to achieve the best outcomes.'
The settlement provides a 24% funding boost for the 10% most deprived councils, an additional £4.6bn to build a National Care Service, including £500m to improve care workers' pay, and a £2.4bn investment in children's social care.
Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.
