Trade union Unite has called on the Government not to make any further cuts to local government public health budgets, warning it could mean ‘financial meltdown’ for councils.
Unite said any further cuts on top of the £200m cuts already proposed would have ‘serious’ consequences to public health.
Unite national officer for local government Fiona Farmer said: ‘Any cuts to the overall health budget by stealth smack of the dodgy economics of Arthur Daley.
‘Public health cuts are a false economy and cuts to health prevention impact heavily on NHS services.’
She added: ‘Local councils face a financial meltdown and further cuts could see funds being diverted from public health to deliver basic waste, refuse and social care services.
‘It does seem incredibly short sighted to cut primary care which can prevent ill health. This will mean people end up swamping already struggling secondary care yet further.’
