Chris Mahony 05 November 2019

Think tanks calls for public health funding to be linked to NHS budgets

Public health funding should be linked to increases in the NHS budget, a briefing published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests.

The think tank says that linking the two budgets will put public health on a more sustainable footing after five years of cuts that the report says have hit the most deprived communities hardest.It claims that the ten most deprived local authorities in England have seen £1 in every £7 cut from their public health budgets – compared to £1 in £46 for the ten least deprived councils.

The IPPR puts the total cuts to public health in England at £900m in real terms since 2014/15. As well as linking funding NHS budgets, the briefing calls for reform of the local government funding formula.

It argues that despite the greater public health needs in deprived communities such as Blackpool, Liverpool and Birmingham, councils serving the ten most deprived communities have borne nearly 15% of that figure. The poorest areas have lost around a third of their public health funding, compared to a one-fifth reduction for the least deprived areas.

The IPPR research fellow who analysed the data, Chris Thomas, said: ‘This means the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable people in our country has been put at risk – and puts unnecessary strain on the NHS. Government must ensure our health and wellbeing by investing in a fairer deal for local government.’

Cllr Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for health and social care said: ‘These findings are sadly not surprising and emphasise what we at Birmingham City Council, alongside many other local authorities, have been saying for years. Public health have been hit by cuts alongside other public sector services and it is the poorest and most vulnerable who have suffered the most under years of austerity.’

LGA community wellbeing board chairman Cllr Ian Hudspeth said: ‘All political parties need to commit to giving councils greater powers and funding to help improve the health of our population and relieve pressure on our overstretched health service.’

The MJ approached the councils that top the government’s least deprived list for comment but did not receive a response.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housing Assurance Service Manager

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£55,675 - £56,649
We’re building a brand-new assurance team in our Homes & Neighbourhoods service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£24,404 - £24,790
Working within the Kirklees Public Health Improvement team Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Climate Change Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£40,476 - £42,708
Are you a passionate and enthusiastic Climate Change Officer Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Transition Home Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 13 £45,718 - £49,764 (Pay Award Pending)
Could you support young people to realise their individual potential and prepare them for their journey towards independence. NOT JUST A PLACE OF WOR Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEND and Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker (Communication and Interaction Team)

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
We are recruiting a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join our Specialist SEND & Inclusion Team. We would be particularly intereste Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner